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Michael Taylor | 21 June 2026 The business group Sakeliga has warned that the South African National Roads Agency’s (SANRAL’s) new draft proposals will impose new broad black economic empowerment (BEE) requirements for petrol stations and other roadside businesses. These concerns relate to SANRAL’s Draft Policy for Rest and Service Facilities along National Roads, which Sakeliga says could unlawfully expand the agency’s powers over private businesses. The policy aims to regulate developments such as petrol stations, truck stops, restaurants, convenience stores, and future infrastructure linked to electric vehicles and alternative fuels. Sakeliga argued that SANRAL is attempting to use its authority over South Africa’s national roads to control businesses operating on private land. The group objected to the draft policy, saying that it would give SANRAL sweeping powers to dictate who can operate a business along a national road, setting transformation credential requirements, imposing levies, and mandating how the business must be structured. This would be the case even if the business operates on privately owned land and has no contractual relationship with SANRAL. According to Sakeliga, the agency is relying on sections of the SANRAL Act that were intended to regulate access to national roads for road safety and traffic purposes. The business group said that SANRAL is now trying to use these provisions to introduce much broader commercial and socio-economic regulations. “The road agency’s authority, as defined by the SANRAL Act, is restricted to the planning, financing, construction, operation, management, and maintenance of national roads,” Sakeliga said. “SANRAL is not an economic regulator, a licensing authority for private businesses, or empowered to impose transformation requirements on private landowners.” Sakeliga highlighted that the draft policy would require roadside businesses to comply with SANRAL’s own Transformation Policy. It argued that the policy was originally meant for companies contracted by SANRAL for road construction and maintenance. “The Draft Policy now requires private businesses on private land to comply with the same framework, even though they are not contracting with SANRAL, are not spending public money, and are not supplying any product or service to SANRAL,” it said. New barrier to access South Africa’s road network Sakeliga warned that this policy would effectively create a parallel BEE compliance regime for private businesses by making transformation requirements a condition for access to the national road network. The group argued that this could have severe economic consequences for South Africa, as it would create barriers to entry through centralised approvals and spacing rules. It would also reduce competition by protecting existing operators and raise costs through turnover-based levies of up to 10%. The policy could also discourage investment by creating regulatory uncertainty, discretionary approval processes, and short lease periods. “Private businesses operating on private land should not be required to surrender ownership, restructure their operations, or demonstrate transformation credentials to a roads agency,” Sakeliga said. The group stated it would challenge the policy if adopted in its current form or in any similar form. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://topauto.co.za/news/156320/new-bee-laws-proposed-for-petrol-stations-on-south-africas-national-roads/

SA News | 11 June 2026 Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has announced a series of transitional arrangements aimed at modernising South Africa's qualifications system, while ensuring continuity for learners, training providers and employers. Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday, Manamela said the implementation of the Directive on Transitional Arrangements for Pre-2009 Qualifications forms part of government's broader efforts to strengthen and future-proof the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The directive, published on 3 June 2024 under the National Qualifications Framework Act (Act 67 of 2008), seeks to ensure an orderly transition towards a modernised qualifications framework; accelerate the development and implementation of occupational qualifications, and strengthen the responsiveness, quality and credibility of qualifications within the Post-School Education and Training system. It also aims to improve alignment between education, training and labour market needs, and reinforce accountability among Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), quality councils and other implementing bodies. “The Directive established the policy framework for transitioning South Africa from pre-2009 qualifications towards a modern occupational qualifications system that better reflects workplace requirements, technological advancement and the evolving needs of our economy," Manamela said. He explained that the reform is intended to bridge the gap between classroom-based learning and practical workplace experience by introducing qualifications that place greater emphasis on hands-on training and work-integrated learning. Over 900 qualifications registered The Minister highlighted that significant progress has already been made since the Directive was issued. To date, 948 occupational qualifications and part-qualifications have been registered on the National Qualifications Framework. He said that of the 1 475 pre-2009 qualifications that had reached their registration end date, 630 were granted learner enrolment extensions, following consultation and engagement with stakeholders. “The remainder were deregistered owing to the absence of learner enrolment or their replacement by occupational qualifications. All affected qualifications allowed currently enrolled learners sufficient opportunity to complete their studies,” Manamela said. Differentiated approach to extension The Minister said government has adopted a differentiated approach to managing the transition, and they have been categorised to ensure that each is managed according to its level of readiness and its impact on learners and the skills development system. Category A refers to occupational qualifications that are already registered on the National Qualifications Framework. Because they are not pre-2009 "legacy" qualifications, they do not require gazetting or further enrolment extensions. “They will continue to be managed through the existing administrative processes of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), and learners and accredited Skills Development Providers may continue with approved enrolments and delivery,” the Minister said. Under Category B, which includes pre-2009 qualifications and National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED) programmes, qualifying programmes will receive targeted extensions ranging from six months to 24 months, depending on factors such as learner impact, sector readiness, availability of replacement qualifications, and labour market requirements. Manamela emphasised that these extensions are not blanket measures, and each qualification has been assessed on its own merits. “The qualifications approved for extension will be included in the Government Gazette to be published on Monday, 15 June 2026, and the complete list of affected qualifications and their replacement occupational qualifications will also be published on the SAQA website, ensuring public accessibility and transparency,” the Minister said. Category C, which relates to regulatory unit standards that continue to underpin important statutory and industry programmes, has been granted extensions of up to three years to allow regulators and industries sufficient time to review programme requirements and transition to replacement occupational skills programmes. The Minister noted that this approach ensures continuity in regulated sectors, while protecting the public interest and avoiding disruption to economic activity. With respect to trades, which fall under Category C, the position differs depending on the availability of replacement occupational qualifications. “Where occupational qualifications have already been developed and implemented, no further extension is required. However, for trades where replacement occupational qualifications have not yet been fully developed or implemented, targeted transitional arrangements of approximately one year may be considered to ensure continuity, while development processes are finalised,” the Minister explained. The SAQA website will comprehensively indicate the qualifications that have received extensions; the applicable duration of each extension; the associated teach-out [an educational arrangement that allows current students to complete their qualifications or degrees, even if an institution closes, restructures or phases out older programs] arrangements where applicable, and corresponding occupational qualifications that will replace the affected pre-2009 qualifications. To improve implementation and oversight of the transition process, government has established a Technical Task Team mandated to identify and resolve implementation bottlenecks, monitor progress against clear timelines, and ensure that the transition proceeds in a structured and orderly manner. “It will bring together dedicated workstreams responsible for communications and advocacy; legal and regulatory matters; SETA coordination; data management; assessment to certification; quality assurance; TVET [Technical and Vocational Education Training] rollout of new qualifications; funding norms and standards, and monitoring and evaluation. “This integrated governance structure will strengthen accountability, improve coordination across institutions and ensure that implementation challenges are addressed proactively,” Manamela said. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/government-announces-transitional-arrangements-advance-modern-occupational

Malcolm Libera | 19 June 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa has thrown his support behind the proposed R100 billion Transformation Fund in South Africa. He said it will help address longstanding inequalities in South Africa’s economy by expanding opportunities for black-owned businesses and broadening participation in key industries. The proposed fund, which would be capitalised over five years, is expected to channel around R20 billion annually into majority black-owned and controlled enterprises. This works out to roughly R55 million every day, or about R80 million per working day, to support businesses across various sectors. Responding to questions in Parliament, Ramaphosa said the government remains committed to changing ownership patterns in the economy and reducing concentration in productive assets. “A fundamental pillar of government’s economic programme is to open the economy to new players, give black and women South Africans opportunities in the economy and help to make the economy more dynamic, competitive and inclusive,” he said. Ramaphosa argued that there is both a constitutional and economic imperative to correct the skewed patterns of ownership, control and participation in the economy. He added that the government will continue to use policy tools such as competition laws, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) legislation, sector codes, and preferential procurement to achieve that goal. He described the Transformation Fund as one of the latest interventions aimed at improving access to finance for majority black-owned businesses and helping them participate in value chains across key sectors. According to Ramaphosa, an inclusive economy is one in which South Africans, regardless of race or gender, are able to participate as owners, managers, entrepreneurs and workers. The proposal would consolidate enterprise and supplier development contributions that companies already make under the B-BBEE framework into a centralised fund, rather than requiring firms to identify and support individual beneficiaries themselves. In May, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said the fund will operate as an independent entity and include systems designed to improve accountability and transparency. He explained that partnerships with financial institutions will support the creation of a digital platform capable of real-time monitoring of investments, job creation and other impact measures. “The Transformation Fund is structured to reduce over-reliance on credit for black MSMEs by adopting a blended finance approach,” Tau said. The end of BEE He added that embedded technical support, performance-based governance, strengthened underwriting, and continuous monitoring are intended to improve repayment rates and reduce financial risk. For smaller businesses, grants would be combined with credit to avoid excessive debt burdens, while larger industrial projects could receive early-stage equity financing before moving to more conventional funding structures. Despite the government’s support, the proposal has attracted criticism from opposition parties and some economists. National Assembly member Toby Chance warned that the fund could become “a bottomless pit for taxpayers’ money” with limited oversight and questioned whether it would deliver meaningful economic benefits. He argued that the majority of funding misses the mark in stimulating high-growth enterprises and said South Africa already has many entrepreneurs who simply need opportunities to succeed. Chance also cautioned that the initiative could perpetuate the same cycle of mismanagement that has led to poor economic growth and risk financial waste and political cronyism rather than true economic empowerment. The Freedom Front Plus has also criticised the proposal, arguing that black economic empowerment policies have often benefited a relatively small group of individuals rather than delivering broad-based gains. Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt believes the Transformation Fund could signal a significant shift in South Africa’s empowerment framework. He said the proposal suggests the government is beginning a process of redefining BEE and potentially replacing aspects of the current system. “This shows that BEE is probably going to be redefined, and I think this is probably the beginning of the end of BEE as we know it,” Roodt said. According to Roodt, the existing model could gradually give way to one in which companies earn BEE recognition by contributing to the centralised Transformation Fund rather than administering their own enterprise and supplier development initiatives. “This will probably be the end of BEE when this process is followed through to its conclusion,” he said. Earlier this year, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana called for an “honest debate” about whether the policy is achieving its objectives and urged stakeholders to assess its effectiveness and unintended consequences. However, Ramaphosa believes that the Transformation Fund remains an important instrument for promoting broader participation in the economy. He said the government’s objective is to build “a more dynamic, competitive and inclusive” economy while ensuring that more South Africans can participate as entrepreneurs, owners and workers. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/863997/what-ramaphosa-thinks-about-plan-to-give-black-businesses-r55-million-every-day-for-five-years/

Nkateko Joseph Mabasa | 17 June 2026 While the affirmative action policy was broadened in 2011, from targeted share transfer ownership to wider socio-economic transformation, including women and youth, slow economic growth has resulted in growing scepticism over its effectiveness Compliance fatigue and unclear outcomes under the broad-based black economic Empowerment policy have been highlighted by business leaders at the Nedbank Top Empowerment Conference. They emphasised that there was an urgent need for tangible inclusion results. While the affirmative action policy was broadened in 2011, from targeted share transfer ownership to wider socio-economic transformation, including women and youth, slow economic growth has resulted in growing scepticism over its effectiveness. Speaking at the conference Mziwabantu Dayimani, the National Empowerment Fund CEO, said that even though there was broad agreement on the need for transformation, divisions arose about its implementation. “If you implement transformation correctly, you will have economic growth as a larger share of the population becomes economically active,” he said. Dayimani emphasised the importance of accountability in how resources were deployed and suggested that voluntary compliance mechanisms should be reviewed. The public debate about why the policy had lagged was misunderstood. “When it comes to the B-BBEE narrative, the loudest voices are often those against transformation. We need to change that.” Mbali Phewa, the Nedbank executive head of transformation, said that what was often described as transformation fatigue was, in reality, compliance fatigue. “Organisations feel fatigued when there are no visible outcomes.” Phewa said Nedbank had shifted from viewing transformation as a compliance requirement to treating it as a growth imperative. Through the Youth Employment Service programme, the bank had created 17 000 job opportunities for young people. “Tangible outcomes help transformation regain credibility,” she said, adding that no single intervention could resolve systemic challenges and that institutions should focus on strengthening systems. “Transformation becomes vulnerable when it sits at the periphery of a business cycle,” she said, posing the question: “What would the cost be if transformation were to fail?” Tishalan Pillay, the executive director for sales, marketing and distribution at ASI Finance, said the conversation had moved beyond scorecard targets towards measurable outcomes. “Transformation should not be separate from business operations,” she said, noting that organisations often resisted what they perceived as overcompliance. “If organisations start to see transformation not as a cost but as a strategic imperative, it changes the conversation around the cost of B-BBEE,” he said. Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth described the Employment Equity Act as the most significant labour equity reform in a decade. “B-BBEE is not designed to punish business but to empower talent,” she said. Meth rejected the argument that transformation was unaffordable. “Countries that align transformation with their demographic profile do well. The fact that our economy is growing at less than 1% does not mean transformation is unaffordable; it reflects that transformation has been slow.” She said public procurement was one of the most effective tools for redistributing economic opportunity. Lucretia Khumalo, the divisional executive for customer support and growth at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), said compliance alone was insufficient. “We must ask whether we are creating real economic participation or merely the impression of it. Transformation is not failing; it is being tested. This is not the time to abandon the progress made.” Khumalo cautioned against prioritising form over substance, noting that the IDC had invested R15 billion in energy projects, with private capital following in multiples. “That is what catalytic finance looks like in practice.” She said development finance institutions and commercial banks should act as partners rather than competitors.“Blended finance, when structured well, is not charity; it is leverage.” Shadi Chauke, the Sanlam group executive for corporate affairs and sustainability, said access was only the starting point. “What matters is what comes next, inclusion that is lived, not legislated.” Chauke said Sanlam had created R17bn in BEE value, including R5.6bn invested in small and medium enterprises and R8bn in black-owned SMEs. “This shows that impact and investment discipline can reinforce one another rather than compete.” She said the question was not whether transformation was working but whether it was being delivered at the scale, speed and depth required. German More, the director of new business development and communications at Save the Children, said transformation must ultimately be measured by its impact on children. “Are companies investing in early childhood development, such as literacy, nutrition and reading for meaning from Grade R to Grade 4?” He said employee share ownership schemes and broader empowerment initiatives ultimately benefited children through improved household stability and access to opportunities. “Transformation is not transformation if it does not change the lives of children.” ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://mg.co.za/business/2026-06-17-broad-based-bee-compliance-fatigue-and-unclear-outcomes-dominate-transformation-debate/

Boitumelo Kgobotlo | 7th June 2026 Black shareholders of brewing firm SAB are up in arms, alleging they have not seen financial returns on their broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) investment scheme for five years. Those holding shares in SAB’s Zenzele Kabili empowerment scheme – a special purpose vehicle that holds shares in the local arm of global brewing giant AB InBev – which was set up to enable black South African investors to participate in the ownership of the multinational group, say they have not been paid dividends since investing more than more than five years ago. SAB invited qualifying members of the public to invest in and buy shares when the Zenzele Kabili B-BBEE scheme listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in May 2021. An annual general meeting of the scheme, held at the Nascrec Expo Centre on May 15, turned chaotic as disgruntled shareholders confronted the scheme’s representatives, demanding answers on alleged non-payment of dividends. But SAB has denied that shareholders have not been paid for five years. An investor, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Sunday World that the chaos ensued after the scheme representatives failed to explain what was causing the delay in payouts. He said the previous scheme, SAB Zenzele, which they also invested in, had paid dividends on time without any issues. “We attended the meeting expecting good news or at least answers but it all turned sour when they could not tell us what was causing the delay or at least explain when we will be getting our funds. Instead, they told us that communication would be sent towards the end of May and we are still waiting. “We have invested twice in SAB Zenzele and we saw meaningful returns on both occasions. But this time, the dividends they claimed are due did not make sense and that further elevated the uproar. The meeting did not end on a good note,” he said. According to the company’s financial results for the year ending December 2025, the board of parent company AB InBev suggested a full-year 2024 dividend of €1 (R19) per share, which was later approved by shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting on April 30 2025. The statement revealed that a dividend was paid but tavern owners who hold Zenzele Kabili shares insist they have not received a cent from the scheme. According to the annual results, SAB received more than R108-million in dividend income from AB InBev, an increase from R85.3-million the previous year. After accounting for foreign withholding taxes, operational costs and debt obligations, R66.7-million remained available for distribution but most of it reportedly did not go to shareholders. Approximately 75% of the distributable income was allowed to preference shareholders and reduce outstanding debt linked to the scheme, leaving R16.6-million for ordinary shareholders, translating to a dividend of 41 cents per share. According to the report this was paid in July 2025. The statement further outlined concern over the financial position of SAB Zenzele Kabili, which continues to carry significant accumulated losses, although these have narrowed from R1.9-billion in 2024 to R1.52-billion by the end of December 2025. It highlighted pressure on the company’s short-term finances, with current liabilities exceeding current assets by about R937-million. This means the company does not have enough readily available resources to cover all its immediate obligations. “In 2021, the South African Breweries (Pty) Ltd advanced a facility amount of R12 000 000 to SAB Zenzele Kabili Holdings (RF) Limited to assist the company in meeting its immediate liquidity shortfall. This advance was provided to assist the company in meeting its operational obligations until the intended receipt of the next dividend from AB InBev. “On 14 March 2023, an addendum to the facility agreement was signed between the company and SAB, where the maturity date of the facility was extended from 7 August 2023 to 7 August 2025. During the year, repayments amounting to R13 119 615 were made towards the SAB facility and the facility was settled in full. However, investors argued they had not received any money as per the agreement which stipulated dividend payouts after five years. They said there had been no communication apart from the recent AGM. Kanyisa Ndyodya, the SAB spokesperson, acknowledged the concerns raised at the meeting but insisted that shareholders were paid in accordance with the financial statements. “SAB Zenzele Kabili Holdings can confirm that all dividends for the previous financial years have been paid in full to the shareholders, in line with the rules of the scheme. “SAB Zenzele Kabili Holdings is a listed entity and there is no fixed maturity date where beneficiaries would receive a payout.” She said the scheme’s performance was dependent on company performance dividends received from AB InBev. “Whenever dividends are declared, the distributions are made in terms of the rules of the scheme, with such distributions communicated to shareholders through the appropriate channels including the JSE SENS. “SAB and SAB Zenzele Kabili Holdings value the role of the shareholders and remain supportive of efforts to ensure the scheme operates in line with its objectives. We will continue to engage with the shareholders and are actively working with the scheme administrators to enhance shareholder communication,” Ndyodya said. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://sundayworld.co.za/business/sabs-black-shareholders-see-red-over-dividend-payouts/

BizCommunity | 5 June 2026 The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has launched Phase V of the National Youth Service (NYS) Programme, which will unlock 100,000 paid service opportunities for unemployed young people across South Africa's nine provinces. Unveiled on Thursday in partnership with the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI), the programme aims to provide young people with meaningful opportunities through community service, work experience, skills development, civic participation and pathways to sustainable livelihoods. The NYS programme enables young people to contribute meaningfully to their communities while gaining practical experience, strengthening social cohesion, and advancing nation-building efforts. NYDA board executive chairperson, Dr Sunshine Myende, said the programme was designed to provide young people with meaningful community service opportunities, while creating pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, education, training and broader economic participation. “Participants will gain practical workplace exposure, civic and leadership experience, skills development opportunities, and a chance to contribute directly to improving the communities in which they leave,” Myende said. Inclusion She said the agency remains committed to ensuring the inclusion of young people from historically marginalised groups, including persons with disabilities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) youth; young people from rural communities; and others who continue to face significant barriers to economic participation. According to the NYDA, the programme forms part of broader efforts to tackle youth unemployment by equipping young people with skills, experience and opportunities that enhance their employability and economic prospects. Young people interested in participating can register and submit applications through the SAYouth.mobi platform. Further information on eligibility criteria, application timelines and participation requirements will be communicated through the agency's website and official public communication channels. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.bizcommunity.com/article/nyda-launches-100000-paid-youth-service-opportunities-623871a

Zingiswa Losi | 8 June 2026 Two recent important legislative developments have taken place in South Africa that will play important roles in raising workers’ wages, putting money in their pockets and helping to reduce our shameful levels of poverty and inequality. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has been heartened to see our efforts begin to shift the needle in this struggle. It is important to remember the damage done to South Africa by centuries of institutional discrimination and disempowerment, particularly in wages. It was not an accident that Black, Coloured and Indian or female workers were paid a fraction of their White or male counterparts, even when doing the same work. Confining Black workers to poorly paid jobs was a cornerstone of apartheid. While we have made great strides since 1994 under successive African National Congress led governments, we dare not be naïve to think our racially scarred wage inequalities have disappeared. In the public sector, we have largely overcome these inequalities, but in the private sector it is a very different story. Employment equity reports indicating that 60% of senior management posts in the private sector are held by white males, despite constituting 4% of society, confirms we still have far to go. Key culprits in wage inequality include the mining, banking, finance, insurance and retail sectors where it may take a decade for the lowest paid workers to earn what their CEOs make in a week! We dare never normalise our status as the world’s most unequal society. It must continue to conscientise and mobilise all of us; government, business or labour, to do more to tackle this ticking time bomb. Recently President Cyril Ramaphosa, a founding General Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), signed into law critical provisions of the Companies Amendment Act. This is the culmination of years of struggles by Cosatu and its Affiliate, the Southern African Clothing and Textiles Workers’ Union (SACTWU) working closely with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) at Nedlac and Parliament. These progressive provisions of the Companies Amendment Act compel companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and state-owned enterprises to disclose in their annual reports and to their shareholders the wage gap between their highest and lowest paid employees, and in particular their actual packages. These companies are required to table their remuneration policies to their shareholders for approval. These simple but profound legislative requirements are key to tackling our obscene wage gaps. Further provisions of the Amendment Act awaiting Presidential promulgation require these companies to disclose their financial reports to their unions and employees. This will empower them to understand their companies’ financial statuses, boost wage negotiations and labour market stability. These provisions will enable shareholders to play a greater oversight role over the companies where their monies are invested, in particular workers’ pension funds. It will be especially important for the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), the largest investment fund with assets exceeding R3.5 billion, overwhelmingly workers’ pension and insurance funds, to play a far more assertive role in nudging companies where it is invested to the right thing and take action to reduce the shameful wage gap between managers and workers. The second important legislative development has been the Employment Equity Amendment Bill, a Private Member’s Bill, currently before Parliament. This progressive Bill tabled by a Member of Parliament, Ms. N. Hlazo-Webster, seeks to provide further impetus in the struggle for fair pay. It provides simple but critical amendments to the Act. It hopes to break the back of discriminatory wage practices often based upon one’s race, gender or disability and to push employers in the private sector to a more transparent and fair wage regime. The Bill obliges employers to disclose the total costs of employment for positions when advertising them. This will empower workers to know what the jobs pay and not simply be forced to accept whatever low wage is offered. This will ease the pressure on workers desperate for a job to simply accept whatever meagre offer is made to them. Whilst some private sector employers will object to this, the public sector and even many private sector employers have long embraced this common sense practice. It builds a culture of transparency, helps prevent unfair wage practices and guides people to apply for jobs whose requirements they meet. The Bill similarly empowers prospective employees to request the salary packages that those positions offer from the employers. Again, this helps to build a culture of trust between the two parties. Workers are empowered to discuss their wages with fellow employees without fear of victimisation that many private sector companies have shrouded such simple discussions in. It will help build a sense of collective unity amongst workers and provide a powerful disincentive against discriminatory wage practices. Employers will be prohibited from compelling prospective employees to disclose their previous wage packages. This is key to avoid confining workers to low, unfair and discriminatory wage packages from one job to the next. Wage remuneration should be based upon a well thought through and collectively engaged upon remuneration policy and not simply very discriminatory wages dispensed at the whim of an employer. Paying workers a fair and ideally a living wage, and equal pay for equal work is critical to building a more just society and to tackling our toxic levels of inequality and even poverty. Workers who feel their worth is recognised and are paid a fair wage will be more motivated and productive and thus boost workplace productivity and economic growth. Workers who earn a decent wage will have money to buy the goods that businesses produce and need to sell. If workers are to escape the vicious cycles of poverty and indebtedness and to ensure that their children enjoy a better life, then a fair wage needs to become a reality for all. Putting this into law through the Companies Amendment Act and we hope soon, the Employment Equity Amendment Bill, will be powerful steps forward in this struggle. Zingiswa Losi is the President of Cosatu. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://iol.co.za/business-report/economy/2026-06-08-cosatu-welcomes-new-laws-to-address-wage-gaps-in-south-africa/

Kate Philip | 31 May 2026 If there was ever any doubt, it is now clear. Public employment makes a measurable difference to our national job statistics. In the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), the single biggest contributor to the rise in unemployment was the loss of jobs from the termination of Phase 5 of South Africa’s biggest youth employment programme: the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI), which is part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus. In the quarter to December 2025, the BEEI employed nearly 200,000 young people in public schools across the country, the majority of whom were young women. This year, the programme did not resume with the start of the school year, in a context in which future budgets were unconfirmed. The latest QLFS shows that the single biggest decline in employment in the last quarter was in Community and Social Services – and within this, in education, where jobs fell by 168,000. Statistics are estimates based on a sample survey; they are never as accurate as administrative records. Exact alignment is rare. But this match is striking enough to settle an important debate. After the State of the Nation Address in February, critics argued that if the work opportunities reported by the President were accurate, they would “show up” in national statistics. Our response was that without these programmes, the picture would be worse. Now, the contrast is clear. Why public employment is vital National statistics show that a failure to support these jobs means unemployment rises. Public employment is indeed a vital factor cushioning the labour market, and it’s time to recognise that this matters. Of course, what we most want and need is rapid, inclusive growth to create sustainable jobs. Massive public and private effort should prioritise this outcome – and is doing so. But a reality check is also urgently needed. Even in our most optimistic growth scenarios, we will not clear current employment backlogs within the next decade. No plausible economic modelling suggests we can do so. So what, actually, are we saying about this? Are we just going to shrug and say that only “sustainable” jobs count? And that in their absence, there is nothing we can do to address this social crisis, when in fact, we have clear evidence – here and from all over the world – that well-designed public employment programmes can help close this gap – and that they can do so on terms that create real social value, and support rather than undermine the inclusive growth we seek? Public employment has long been a part of South Africa’s policy landscape, but the Covid pandemic allowed for rapid experimentation, and innovation that demonstrated the scope to create quality work experiences at new levels of scale; to create meaningful work and jobs to which people aspire. The fact that 1.9 million young people from every municipality in the country applied to the last phase of the BEEI reflects the scale of demand among young people to participate. At its peak, the Presidential Employment Stimulus delivered more than 600,000 work and livelihood support opportunities in a single year. It’s now a shadow of that – down to 30% of its peak budgets from the fiscus, whittled down through cuts and uncertain one-year budget extensions that make effective planning and implementation extremely challenging. Under these conditions, it’s as if the programmes are being set up to fail. Except, they haven’t. Instead, the Presidential Employment Stimulus has demonstrated that well-designed programmes can build relevant work experience and ongoing economic engagement for young people otherwise excluded from labour markets; break cycles of long-term unemployment that erode employability and self-esteem; address a wider range of social priorities, strengthen local economies through spending in poor communities; and help sustain social stability in a society under extraordinary pressure. Public employment is an investment in people, in communities and in labour market infrastructure. It is economic and social scaffolding. In the context of our crisis of missing jobs, it’s time to move beyond framings that present sustainable jobs and public employment as binary policy choices. Instead, we need to use all the levers at our disposal to enable economic participation, with investment in quality public employment recognised as a permanent pillar of employment policy. Not a stopgap, not a crisis measure, but an enduring part of our responses to deep structural unemployment – resourced and institutionalised on terms that allow for the best possible social and labour market outcomes. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-05-31-new-data-proves-it-public-employment-is-essential-to-providing-work-for-the-young/

Zelda Venter | 31 May 2026 South Africa’s National Employers’ Association of South Africa (Neasa) and business group Sakeliga lost their Constitutional Court fight to halt the government’s new employment equity (EE) quotas, but they vowed to continue the fight. The Constitutional Court declined Sakeliga and Neasa's application for leave to appeal in their urgent application for an interdict against the Employment Equity quotas enacted in 2025. But they will now pursue the matter through a review on a non-urgent basis to have several sections of the Employment Equity Act declared unconstitutional and set aside. Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, meanwhile, welcomed the Constitutional Court dismissal of the urgent application and said that, absent an interdict, the department is forging ahead with the implementation of the EE Regulations and the 5-year sector numerical EE targets. The Employment Equity Amendment Act and its accompanying two sets of Employment Equity Regulations, including the 5-year sector numerical EE targets for the 18 economic sectors, came into effect last year for designated employers, such as those that employ 50 or more employees. Meth said it is important to note that the numerical goals are set by the designated employers, and companies must therefore submit their annual EE reports against their own set annual EE targets in their EE plans. After the commencement of the EE Amendment Act and its EE Regulations, several legal challenges were instituted against the department and the Commission for Employment Equity (CEE). These cases primarily challenged the constitutional validity, lawfulness, consultation process, and the implementation of the amended EE legislative framework and the 5-year sectoral numerical EE targets. Neasa and Sakeliga were amongst the first to file an urgent application with the Gauteng High Court, where they tried to suspend the implementation of the EE targets. The High Court dismissed Part A of the application and held that an interdict was not appropriate where the minister had already exercised statutory powers. The court declined to suspend what it regarded as a lawful exercise of statutory authority, emphasising the separation of powers. The court further held that the consultation process preceding the publication of the sectoral numerical EE targets was lawful and that employers retain flexibility to justify deviations for non-compliance in terms of the Employment Equity Act. The applicants then approached the Supreme Court of Appeal, which also turned down leave to appeal. They subsequently approached the Constitutional Court on an urgent basis for leave to appeal, to be followed by a review application. The minister said her department will also oppose the pending review application. The department explained that the key objectives and implications of the EE Amendment Act include empowering the minister to regulate sector-specific EE numerical targets. This is to ensure the equitable representation of suitably qualified people from the designated groups (Africans, Coloureds, and Indians, women of all race groups, as well as people with disabilities irrespective of their race and gender). It also calls for an EE Compliance Certificate as a prerequisite for access to state contracts and doing business with any organ of state. All the designated employers are legally obligated to fully comply with the Employment Equity amendments by aligning their annual EE targets in the EE Plans with the 5-year sector numerical EE targets, the minister said. In response to the Constitutional Court ruling against them, Sakeliga said that the Constitutional Court has failed to acknowledge the tremendous compliance costs, business planning risks, and investment deterrence caused by the quotas. While the quotas prescribe strict limitations on employment by race and sex for organisations with 50 or more employees, it also limits white male employment to as little as 4% in many cases and dictates absurd and unrealistic gender hiring prescriptions in many industries, Sakeliga said. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/2026-05-31-employment-equity-amendment-act-regulations-to-go-ahead-pending-court-action/

SA News | 17 May 2026 Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli has called on young South Africans to take an active role in shaping government and the country’s future, declaring them “not just leaders of tomorrow, but changemakers today”. Speaking at the Seventh-day Adventist Community Day held in Maragon Mooikloof, Pretoria, Mhlauli said young people play a very important role in shaping government, society, and the future of the nation. She emphasised that South Africa’s youth, estimated at around 21 million people between the ages of 15 and 34, make up more than a third of the population, and must therefore be central to decision-making processes. “If one-third of our population is young, then young people must be central to every important decision about the future of South Africa,” Mhlauli said. The Deputy Minister highlighted the significance of 2026 as the 30th anniversary of the Constitution, describing it as a document that not only protects rights but also guarantees active participation in democracy. She urged young people to participate in all processes of government across all three spheres, by contributing to policy development, public consultations, municipal planning, budgeting, and accountability. “Government works best when citizens are involved, and democracy becomes stronger when young people speak and leaders listen.” Drawing on history, Mhlauli noted that young people have always shaped the destiny of the country, such as the 1976 uprisings and the 1994 democratic elections, adding that today’s generation continues to make strides in entrepreneurship, education, science, social activism, and the creative industries. She also challenged young people to prepare themselves to engage with emerging policy areas, including artificial intelligence, noting that such developments will influence jobs, education, healthcare, security, and the economy. “Young people are the generation that will live with the consequences of these decisions, and their voices must be heard. This principle applies not only to artificial intelligence but to every major policy that affects our country,” the Deputy Minister said. Collective response to youth unemployment Addressing the issue of youth unemployment, Mhlauli acknowledged it as one of the country’s most pressing challenges but stressed that it requires a collective response. “Youth unemployment is not a problem for young people alone. It is a national challenge that requires all hands on deck. Government, business, labour, civil society, educational institutions, faith communities and families all have a role to play. Young people themselves must continue to prepare, participate, and persevere,” Mhlauli said. She highlighted government initiatives, such as the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI), which connects young people to work opportunities, skills development and pathways into employment; the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), provides business grants, entrepreneurship training, career guidance and support for young innovators; as well as the SAYouth.mobi platform, which is a zero rated site where government deposits all youth empowerment related opportunities, as key tools available to support young people. Beyond economics, Mhlauli encouraged youth participation in sectors such as technology, agriculture, arts, sports and education, citing South Africa’s global success in citrus exports and the international rise of local music genres like Amapiano as examples of youth-driven impact. She also recognised the role of faith communities in nurturing responsible and values-driven citizens, describing them as vital partners in national development. She further urged young people to take ownership of their future. “This is your country. Do not wait for others to shape your future. Read government policies, attend public meetings, volunteer in your communities, and pursue excellence in your studies. “South Africa needs your energy, your creativity and your commitment. As we celebrate 30 years of our Constitution, let us recommit ourselves to building a country in which every young person can thrive. We must build a country where opportunity is real, where talent is nurtured, where no dream is too big and where young people are not spectators but architects of our democracy,” the Deputy Minister said. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/youth-must-help-shape-government-mhlauli

Staff Writer | 22 May 2026 The Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) and the Chemical Industries SETA (CHIETA) have renewed their memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at cross-sectoral skills development. Built on a partnership first established in November 2021, the renewed agreement will transform CHIETA's existing smart skills centres into external integrated summative assessment (EISA) exam centres. Under the renewed MOU, the centres will serve as integrated hubs for digital skills training, EISA assessment, work-readiness validation, entrepreneurship development and official qualification certification, according to a statement. They will service accredited programmes for both CHIETA and the MICT SETA, bringing quality assurance and official qualifications directly to communities. MICT SETA ETQA senior manager Natalie Nelson says the joining of forces aims to bridge the digital divide seamlessly, adding that the people-centred vision sparked in 2021 has now been breathed into life. CHIETA CEO Yershen Pillay underscored the urgency of investing in the digital economy. “The workforce and factory floors are rapidly digitising and automating. No one should be left behind. By equipping communities with digital and future-focused skills, we are directly responding to industry needs, while improving employability and unlocking economic participation for young people.” According to Pillay, training the workforce in digital skills directly answers the demands of industry levy-payers and private sector stakeholders, boosting youth employability. “By demystifying technology for rural dwellers, the centres serve as a vital tool to help citizens overcome daily socio-economic challenges.” MICT SETA CEO Matome Madibana highlights that the scalability of the initiative aligns to the country's broader digital transformation agenda. “The decision to collaborate on digital transformation initiatives and implement cross-sectoral skills development programmes responsive to the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) forms part of the MICT SETA’s strategic drive to massify much-needed digital skills and grow the national pool of future-fit capabilities. “These centres create a powerful platform to roll out more than 50 4IR qualifications that the MICT SETA has developed. With a shared footprint, this training can be rolled out consistently across all the nine provinces,” notes Madibana. The partnership aims to also focus on tech-driven entrepreneurship development and innovation-led training interventions aimed at accelerating local business capabilities, stimulating job creation and advancing inclusive participation in the digital economy. MICT SETA was established in terms of the Skills Development Act of 1998, with a mission to generate, facilitate and accelerate the processes of quality skills development at all levels in the MICT sector in South Africa. CHIETA is a SETA under the Department of Higher Education and Training that facilitates skills development through various training initiatives in the chemical and manufacturing industries. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.itweb.co.za/article/mict-seta-chieta-renew-skills-development-collab/5yONP7Erd5jMXWrb

SA News | 13 May 2026 The South African government has outlined an ambitious programme of action for the 2026/27 financial year, placing women, youth and persons with disabilities at the centre of national development efforts. Presenting her department Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, said the department’s priorities are aimed at driving inclusive growth, tackling inequality and strengthening social justice. The budget is tabled during a year of profound historical and constitutional significance for South Africa, including the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March, 50 years since the 1976 youth uprisings, and 30 years of South Africa’s democratic Constitution. “We have come a long way and yet we remain far from where we want to be. But the work of freedom continues. The struggle continues,” Chikunga said. Focus on inclusion and economic participation Central to the department’s strategy is ensuring that women, youth and persons with disabilities are no longer treated as peripheral groups, but as key drivers of development. The 2026/27 priorities are aligned with government’s Medium-Term Development Plan, which focuses on driving inclusive growth and job creation; reducing poverty and the high cost of living; and building a capable, ethical and developmental state. “For our department, these priorities require that all women, young people and persons with disabilities are not treated as an afterthought, but are placed at the centre of government planning, budgeting, implementation and accountability,” the Minister said. Within this framework, she said the department has identified five key focus areas: Accelerating women’s empowerment and strengthening prevention and response to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF); Confront youth unemployment and vulnerability, among those not in education, employment or training (NEET); Deepening inclusion of persons with disabilities; Institutionalising responsive planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation and auditing, and Strengthening coordinated State and societal action from fragmented interventions to achieve measurable impact. R2.2 billion to drive implementation To support these priorities, the department has been allocated R2.2 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, with a significant budget of R1.8 billion allocated to the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) to expand programmes focused on youth entrepreneurship, employment pathways, skills development and paid service opportunities. Additional allocations include R241 million for the department’s operational work, R111 million for the Commission for Gender Equality, and R46.5 million for the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Chikunga said these resources will be used to drive policy implementation, legislation, advocacy, mainstreaming, monitoring, evaluation, research, coordination, and partnerships across government and society. “This is how we give meaning to the struggles we commemorate this year: by moving from memory to measurable impact,” she said. Legislative and policy priorities The department will also prioritise key legislation in the coming financial year. Among the major policy initiatives include the Promotion of Women’s Rights, Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill, which is being prepared for Cabinet; the South African Youth Development Bill, which will be submitted to Cabinet as a discussion document, gazetted for public comment, and released for public consultation across all provinces; and the Disability Rights Bill, being developed in collaboration with the South African Law Reform Commission. In addition, the department will work on a National Strategy against Teenage Pregnancies and conduct research to inform the development of the national strategy on the care work, aimed at addressing the unequal burden of paid and unpaid care work, and inequality carried by women. “Our task is to move from policy commitments to measurable accountability,” the Minister said. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/government-sets-bold-priorities-women-youth-and-persons-disabilities