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THE
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DEVELOPMENT IS MORE THAN MONEY
Whilst making a financial contribution to an Enterprise Development or Supplier Development Beneficiary is deemed a contribution, it does not always constitute a sustainable claim. A claim for each of these sub-elements needs evidence that demonstrates an organisation’s intervention has contributed to growth, sustainability, as well as operational and financial independence. The monetary route is one contribution option. However, other avenues are contributing an asset or u
Newsletter Editor
Jan 221 min read


THE DEFINITION OF “BLACK NEW ENTRANTS”
The concept of “Black New Entrants” is found under the Ownership scorecard whereby the Amended General B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice allows for Two Points to be scored based on a 2% Compliance Target. The definition contained under Schedule 1 of the Amended General B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice defines “Black New Entrants” as “ Black participants who hold rights of ownership in a Measured Entity and who, before holding the Equity Instrument in the Measured Entity, have not
Newsletter Editor
Jan 221 min read


THE ESD TRANSFORMATION FUND
South Africa’s greatest economic challenge is not a lack of talent or entrepreneurial spirit, it is a lack of access. Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) directly addresses this gap. When implemented with accountability and long-term commitment, it changes the structure of the economy by broadening ownership, deepening industrial participation and creating pathways for sustainable Black Industrialists and Suppliers. This is how B-BBEE Transformation moves from rhetoric t
Newsletter Editor
Jan 221 min read


YOU DON’T NEED A DEGREE TO WORK
The Citizen | 21 January 2026 Trades and technical skills are proving more practical than many traditional degrees. It is a useful and timely reminder from the Kagiso Trust that young people and new matriculants should consider 99 occupations which are in high demand and which they can qualify for through technical and vocational education. Kagiso Trust CEO Mankodi Moitse says the reality is that the economy is crying out for skilled workers across numerous sectors. Of the 35
BEE NEWS
Jan 221 min read


DIRECTOR'S CUT: BEE IS BREAKING SOUTH AFRICA - GERHARD PAPENFUS V GWEDE MANTASHE
Alex Hogg | 20 January 2026 Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) remains one of the most polarising policies in post-apartheid South Africa. Supporters argue it is essential for correcting historical injustice, while critics contend it has become economically destructive and socially corrosive. In a candid interview with Alec Hogg, Gerhard Papenfus, Chief Executive of the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA), sets out why he believes BEE has failed to deliver m
BEE NEWS
Jan 213 min read


LETTER: PRIORITISE JOBS FOR SA CITIZENS
Thulani Dasa | 18 January 2026 The minister of labour must introduce clear, strategic interventions to decisively reduce South Africa’s unacceptably high unemployment. This cannot remain a discussion exercise while millions of citizens are locked out of economic participation. We must urgently identify basic and entry-level jobs that should be prioritised for only South African citizens. Fuel station attendants are often foreign nationals. On farms, in restaurants and in othe
BEE NEWS
Jan 191 min read


OPINION: MIXED SIGNALS ARE MUDDYING THE STARLINK DEBATE WATERS
Lindsey Schutters | 18 January 2026 To quote The Cardigans: “Dear, I fear we’re facing a problem.” Right now, the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) treats all networks that serve internet connectivity the same, but the regulations assume terrestrial infrastructure. So, when trying to apply it to an internet service provider that operates via low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and may never touch the internet infrastructure on South African territory, you have an inherent prob
BEE NEWS
Jan 194 min read


URGENT: 15 JAN 2026 EMPLOYMENT EQUITY REPORTS DEADLINE – KEY INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYERS
IOL News - Journal News | 14 January 2026 The Department of Employment and Labour said the submission would mark the first year in the submission of EE Reports since the amendment of the EE Act that now requires designated employers to prepare and implement EE Plans for the period from 1 September 2025 until 31 August 2030. The department explained that the Employment Equity Amendment Act, No. 4 of 2022, became operational from 1 January 2025. Since then, two sets of EE Regul
BEE NEWS
Jan 152 min read


INDUSTRY LEADERS TO EXAMINE PRACTICAL APPROACHES TO MINING TRANSFORMATION
Creamer Media | 14 January 2026 In response to an increasingly complex regulatory and policy environment, senior leaders across South Africa’s mining and original equipment manufacturing (OEM) sectors are being invited to participate in two focused, outcomes-driven workshops to be held on February 5, 2026, in Johannesburg. Hosted by the industry association OEM Mining Supply Forum in collaboration with the Minerals Council South Africa, the workshops are positioned as strateg
BEE NEWS
Jan 153 min read


THE YEAR B-BBEE TRANSFORMATION MUST DELIVER — NOT JUST REPORT
Yuneal Padayachy | 14 January 2026 As we move into the new year, we do so with optimism and energy to deliver impact through Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) legislation. 2025 has seen a number of debates surrounding B-BBEE legislation, some positive, some negative, but nevertheless under the spotlight in various ways. The year of 2025 introduced new concepts such as the Enterprise and Supplier Development Fund by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competiti
BEE NEWS
Jan 153 min read


DUMA GQUBULE: BEE STATISTICS LACK CREDIBILITY, BY ANY MEASURE
Duma Gqubule | 13 January 2026 Flawed methodologies behind mining’s empowerment claims. In his 2024 state of the nation address President Cyril Ramaphosa said the participation of black people in the mining industry was increasing. “Black ownership stands at approximately 39% ... compared with 2% in 2004,” he said. Last month, during a discussion about Anglo American’s merger with Canadian company Teck Resources, which I opposed and he supported, mining minister Gwede Mantash
BEE NEWS
Jan 133 min read


WATCH: ELON MUSK SLAMS SA LAWS AS STARLINK STILL GROUNDED OVER ‘NOT BLACK’ HURDLE
Marcus Moloko | 12 January 2026 SpaceX founder and chief executive Elon Musk has renewed his criticism of South Africa’s telecommunications rules, claiming his satellite internet service Starlink is being kept out of the country because he is “not black”. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk said: “Starlink is not allowed to have an internet provider license in South Africa for the sole reason that I am not black. This is not OK.” Musk’s comments followed his appearance at
BEE NEWS
Jan 132 min read


A LOAN MUST TAKE THE FORM OF A DEBT INSTRUMENT
Although entering into an Enterprise or Supplier Development loan contract is generally done with the best intentions, some loans issued will inevitably be defaulted on or, in the worst case, a Beneficiary will refuse to repay it. When giving a loan, an organisation has the full rights of recovery; however, this has to be clear in the terms and conditions. First and foremost, a loan must take the form of a debt instrument; thus, it must never be a grant disguised as a loan.
Newsletter Editor
Jan 121 min read


WHICH ENTITIES DO THE B-BBEE CODES OF GOOD PRACTICE APPLY TO?
A B-BBEE Code of Good Practice is a framework of measurement on a Measured Entity scores points to achieve a specific B-BBEE Status Level. It consists of all principles, calculations, and methodologies on how this is executed. As per Clause 3 of Statement 000 of the Amended General B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice , the following is stated: 3. APPLICATION OF THE CODES 3.1 The following Entities are measurable under the Codes: 3.1.1 all Organs of State and P
Newsletter Editor
Jan 121 min read


QUARTERLY INDUSTRY NORM STATISTICS PUBLISHED
Statistics South Africa is the source used to determine the Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) for calculating the targets for Enterprise Development, Supplier Development and Socio-Economic Development. The latest statistics were published during December 2025. The statistics in this version will be for the 3 rd quarter of 2025. Any B-BBEE Verification from hereon would most commonly apply the latest Industry Norms published by Statistics South Africa. For example, if a B-BB
Newsletter Editor
Jan 121 min read


MINISTER ADMITS FARM EQUITY AUDITS ARE UNDER WAY
Tara Roos | 6 January 2026 Land reform and rural development minister Mzwanele Nyhontso has disclosed that forensic audits into farm equity schemes are happening, with the department pursuing fund recovery and considering further investigations into corruption. This follows a written question in the National Assembly by MK MP Andile Mngxitama, who asked what measures are in place to address corruption benefiting white farmers and to secure justice for farmworkers. Farm equity
BEE NEWS
Jan 72 min read


EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH SKILLS FOR A SUSTAINABLE WATER FUTURE
Infrastructure News | 5 January 2026 Speaking at Water Wise’s Drop-by-Drop Water Conservation Outreach Project in Soweto – Nkanyezi Blose, project manager, EWSETA – highlights that communities are central to building a sustainable future. The Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) is one of South Africa’s 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) established under the Skills Development Act. “We are proud to work together with all of th
BEE NEWS
Jan 72 min read


WHY STARLINK'S AFRICAN AMBITIONS ARE FACING SIGNIFICANT HURDLES
Fast Company Contributor | 6 January 2026 Elon Musk’s SpaceX has unleashed one of the most ambitious consumer broadband experiments in history, beaming high-speed internet from low-Earth orbit via its Starlink satellite constellation. Globally, the service now counts millions of subscribers across roughly 100 markets. Yet in Africa, a region where affordable, reliable internet could transform economies, Starlink’s rollout is proving far more turbulent than the hype suggested
BEE NEWS
Jan 73 min read


ARE SOUTH AFRICANS LAZY? – MANTASHE SAYS CITIZENS TOO DEPENDENT ON GOVERNMENT
Molefe Seeletsa | 5 January 2026 The ANC veteran urged them to take initiative and actively seek employment, rather than basking in the sun. Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has come under fire after suggesting that South Africans have become overly reliant on the state. His remarks, made during an interview on Sunday ahead of the ANC’s 8 January birthday celebrations, have sparked widespread debate online. Mantashe argued that the ANC has often downpl
BEE NEWS
Jan 64 min read


MORE THAN 500 COMPANIES FACE POSSIBLE BLACKLISTING IN SOUTH AFRICA
Mthobisi Nozulela | 8 December 2025 Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has revealed that hundreds of companies that were flagged for blacklisting by the government are still under review, with only 18 formally restricted so far. This comes as the government looks to crack down on corruption, fraud, and non-performance in public procurement. Last month, the Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, also said that 40 contractors had been blacklisted since Ju
BEE NEWS
Dec 9, 20252 min read


MEDIA STATEMENT: SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION COMMEMORATES INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
SAHRC | 3 December 2025 Today we commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities under the theme “Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress.” This theme speaks directly to South Africa’s ongoing journey. Our Constitution guarantees the rights, dignity and equal protection of all people. Yet for many persons with disabilities, these rights remain unrealised in daily life. South Africa has strong policies and a substantial legal frame
BEE NEWS
Dec 4, 20252 min read


SA WORKPLACES ARE FAILING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SAYS ACADEMIC
TygerBurger | 3 December 2025 CAPE TOWN – South African workplaces are failing to deliver on the promise of inclusion for persons with disabilities, despite legal obligations under the Employment Equity Act (EEA) and global commitments such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). According to the 25th Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) Report, persons with disabilities make up only 1.4% of the workforce, well below the national 3% target.
BEE NEWS
Dec 4, 20253 min read


OPINION | SCRAPPING B-BBEE WILL REVERSE EMPOWERMENT GAINS AND THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY
Siphiwe Ndlovu and Zweli Zwane | 3 December 2025 The policy is not perfect, but it needs to be improved, not abandoned. Recent media commentary has featured calls to scrap the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Act, with critics arguing it has only benefited a small, connected elite. While the policy is not perfect, discarding it entirely would be a severe setback for redressing historical economic injustice and building an inclusive society. BBBEE’s objectives ex
BEE NEWS
Dec 4, 20253 min read


WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A BLACK DESIGNATED GROUP SUPPLIER?
As per Schedule 1 of the Amended General B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice, a Black Designated Group Supplier is defined as follows: “means a supplier to the Measured Entity that is at least 51% owned by one or more of the following categories of ownership within its structure: (a) unemployed black people not attending and not required by law to attend an educational institution and not awaiting admission to an educational institution; (b) Black people who are youth as d
Newsletter Editor
Dec 1, 20251 min read


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