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Nkosinathi Mahlangu | 13 May 2026 As the country recently commemorated Workers’ Day, millions of young people questioned the true significance of celebrating work in a nation where the majority of its youth remain unemployed. The latest unemployment statistics paint an even more worrying picture. South Africa’s overall unemployment rate has increased to 32.7%, while youth unemployment continues to rise sharply, now sitting at nearly 46% - and this is still excluding the expanded definition of unemployment. The figures point to a labour market that is struggling to absorb new entrants, particularly young people entering the economy for the first time. While there have been slight improvements in sectors such as manufacturing, the sustainability of these opportunities remains uncertain. Many of these jobs are seasonal, temporary, or vulnerable to economic fluctuations, making long-term stability difficult for young people seeking meaningful employment. Young black women continue to be among the most economically vulnerable groups in the country - a painful trend that has remained consistent over several quarters. This ongoing reality reflects deep structural inequalities that continue to lock many young people out of economic participation. The continued rise in youth unemployment is not just another statistic; it is a serious national concern. It further dims the hopes and aspirations of millions of young people, especially as the country approaches Youth Month in June - a month meant to honour the struggles and dreams of the youth. For many young people who are employed, the reality is often short-term, informal or economically vulnerable work that offers little long-term security or progression. What remains even more concerning is the absence of a bold and urgent plan of action to address youth unemployment. The economy continues to struggle under both domestic pressures and global turbulence, leaving many young people trapped in cycles of poverty and hopelessness. Economic pressures, including rising fuel and operating costs, also continue to place a strain on sectors such as transport and the broader gig economy, where many young people are trying to make ends meet. Youth unemployment is spiraling out of control. It can no longer be treated as a secondary issue or reduced to quarterly statistics and political talking points. The country urgently needs a coordinated response from government, business, labour, and civil society to create sustainable economic opportunities for the youth before an entire generation is lost to unemployment and despair. Addressing this issue requires more than short-term interventions. South Africa needs stronger alignment between education, skills development,, and sectors with real growth potential - including digital services, infrastructure, energy, agriculture and entrepreneurship. Work-readiness, workplace exposure, and employer-led training pathways will be critical if young people are to participate meaningfully in the economy. ‘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/personal-finance/financial-planning/2026-05-13-addressing-the-alarming-rise-in-youth-unemployment-in-south-africa/

Stock Markets | 11 May 2026 SANDTON - Old Mutual Limited (JSE:OMU) announced Sunday that it has maintained its Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment contributor status for the seventh consecutive year, according to a press release statement. The South African financial services group disclosed that its B-BBEE certificate and annual compliance report are available on the company’s website. The announcement was made in accordance with paragraph 12.7(g) of the JSE Listings Requirements and section 13G(2) of the B-BBEE Amendment Act, No 46 of 2013. Old Mutual operates across 12 countries in Africa with a niche business in China, offering financial solutions to retail and corporate customers. The company is listed on multiple exchanges including the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, Malawi Stock Exchange, Namibia Stock Exchange, and Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. The B-BBEE program is a South African government policy designed to advance economic transformation and enhance the economic participation of black people in the country’s economy. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://za.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/old-mutual-maintains-level-1-bbbee-status-for-seventh-year-93CH-4269624

Boitumelo Kgobotlo | 3rd May 2026 Black Management Forum insists that the withdrawal by Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa of a job advertisement stipulating that the candidate must be black does not resolve transformation issues within the company. The company was forced to withdraw the advert after trade union Solidarity threatened legal action over the job adverts for intern positions. Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa had put out an ad for a number of fleet internships in the logistics division, seeking qualified persons to manage the fleet operation and perform other duties at its facilities in Pretoria, Durban, Polokwane and at the Perseverance industrial area in Gqeberha. The sought candidates needed to be South African citizens not older than 35-years, possess a grade 12 qualification and be certified as diesel mechanics or fitters. However Solidarity took issue with the beverage maker stipulating in the now withdrawn advertisement that it was seeking “employment equity” candidates. An employment equity plan is a legally required framework that guides how companies promote fair representation in the workplace. Under South African law, employers must set targets to improve the participation of designated groups, including black people, women and people with disabilities, to address historical exclusion. BMF managing director, Monde Ndlovu told Sunday World the withdrawal of the advert still does not address the company’s legal imperative to transform. He said the debate rather reflects tensions around transformation in the country where efforts to address historical inequality often face resistance. “Transformation has never been an organic process in South Africa; it has never been fully embraced because it causes lots of reaction, national reaction. Look at how the economy was structured prior 1994; it was constructed for only a minority of people and not necessarily the majority. “Some of the skills that were out there, we were told as black people that we deserve inferior education. When we talk transformation, it is deeply rooted in South Africa and how businesses operate, why they should operate in a market that is really trying to transform, and also bearing in mind the shareholders expectations of a particular organisation in South Africa,” said Ndlovu. He said Coca-Cola has its own employment equity targets, based on earlier sector requirements, which it is expected to meet across different levels of management, and the key issue is how well the company is performing against those targets. While some have criticised the wording of the advert as offensive, the real concern is how Coca-Cola is managing and driving its employment equity plan overall, Ndlovu added. While white people are also part of the country’s economically active population, they were not the majority and companies need to consider these demographics when implementing their plans. Ndlovu said this makes Coca-Cola’s internal employment equity strategy more important than a single internship advert, which has already been withdrawn, adding that the focus should be on whether the company is genuinely transforming internally. In a letter of demand dated April 7, Solidarity argued that the internship requirement effectively reserved positions for designated groups and excluded others from applying. The union described the practice as discriminatory and called for the withdrawal of the race-based criteria in hiring. Solidarity also warned that such measures could create barriers for some applicants and may not achieve meaningful equality if applied rigidly. “The effect of the race-based approach of Coca-Cola’s labour practice is that unemployed persons who happen to be white are, without qualification, barred from applying for the position,” the trade union said. In response, Coca-Cola confirmed that the advert had been removed and attributed the issue to a wording error. The company said it was conducting an internal investigation and remains committed to fair and inclusive employment practices in line with the law. ‘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/storm-over-coca-cola-ad-seeking-black-candidates-for-intern-posts/#goog_rewarded

Ivan Meyer | 5 May 2026 South Africa’s commitment to redressing the injustices of the past is both necessary and non-negotiable. Transformation is a constitutional imperative and the Western Cape Government (WCG) has consistently supported policies that promote meaningful economic inclusion, dignity-enhancing work and expanded opportunity for those historically excluded from the economy. It is precisely because transformation matters that the WCG cannot support the Draft Statement 000 on General Principles and the Generic Scorecard of the broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) regulations. Let me be clear: this opposition is not ideological resistance to empowerment. It is grounded in economic evidence, constitutional principles and the lived realities of businesses across the country—particularly small, township and rural enterprises. As currently drafted, the regulations risk undermining growth, shrinking market access and introducing significant legal uncertainty. These consequences would hit emerging enterprises the hardest; where job creation potential is greatest and would ultimately weaken rather than advance transformation. A flawed proxy for empowerment At the heart of the draft regulations lies a familiar policy choice: continued reliance on race-based compliance as the dominant proxy for empowerment. While race remains an important historical marker in South Africa, empowerment ultimately succeeds or fails on outcomes—poverty reduction, employment creation and skills development. For township and rural entrepreneurs, empowerment is not abstract. It is measured in access to markets, regulatory clarity, affordable compliance and the ability to grow. When regulations raise barriers to entry, deter investment or increase compliance costs, it entrenches exclusion. International experience and South Africa’s own economic history demonstrate that sustained economic growth is the most powerful driver of inclusion. Yet Draft Statement 000 does not adequately balance redress with growth nor does it seriously interrogate whether existing broad-based BEE mechanisms have delivered the intended economic outcomes over more than two decades. Policy contradictions and the Transformation Fund One of the most serious technical flaws in the Draft Statement is its internal inconsistency, particularly with respect to the proposed Transformation Fund. In Draft Statement 400, the Fund is presented as an alternative to existing Enterprise and Supplier Development contributions. In Draft Statement 000, however, it appears to operate as a mandatory subminimum requirement. This ambiguity is not a minor drafting issue. For businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises with limited legal or compliance capacity, it creates substantial risk. A single misinterpretation could lead to the loss of points, the discounting of broad-based BEE status or exclusion from supply chains altogether. Regulatory uncertainty of this kind discourages investment and disproportionately harms new entrants to the economy. Constitutional and procurement risks Even more concerning are the constitutional implications of paragraph 7.6 of the Draft Statement, which effectively imposes mandatory broad-based BEE documentation requirements as a precondition for tendering. In doing so, it intrudes into the domain of public procurement in a manner that exceeds the minister’s regulatory authority. Section 217 of the Constitution requires procurement systems to be fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective. While organs of state may choose to apply preferential procurement policies, such choices must originate with the procuring authority itself and cannot be imposed through subordinate regulation. Turning broad-based BEE scorecards into automatic gatekeeping tools risks excluding capable small businesses before they have an opportunity to demonstrate value for money or technical competence. For township and rural enterprises entering public procurement for the first time, proportional and flexible requirements are essential. Centrally imposed, rigid conditions risk closing doors rather than opening them. Shrinking markets and rising costs The cumulative effect of the Draft Statement is to extend broad-based BEE measurement deep into private supply chains. Businesses that do not contract directly with the state may still be forced into compliance simply because they supply someone who does. While this may appear to advance transformation on paper, in practice it risks narrowing supplier pools and excluding emerging firms that lack verification capacity. For provincial departments responsible for delivering healthcare, education and infrastructure, this translates into higher administrative burdens, delayed procurement and increased costs as compliance expenses are passed on to the state. These outcomes undermine service delivery and directly conflict with the constitutional requirement of cost-effective public spending. Poor drafting, weak governance Sound regulation depends on clarity, predictability and coherence. Draft Statement 000 falls short on all three. The text contains inconsistent terminology, incorrect cross-references, missing paragraphs and incomplete tables, with no transitional provisions to guide existing contracts or verification cycles. This exposes both government and business to avoidable legal and commercial uncertainty and undermines meaningful public participation. A choice about South Africa’s future The Western Cape Government’s rejection of the draft regulations should not be mistaken for a rejection of transformation. On the contrary, it reflects a commitment to transformation that works—transformation that enables growth and creates jobs. South Africa faces a clear choice. We can pursue empowerment policies that manage scarcity, raise barriers and deepen legal uncertainty. Or we can pursue empowerment that unlocks growth, supports entrepreneurs, respects constitutional limits and delivers real, measurable improvements in people’s lives. Transformation and growth are not opposing goals. But poorly designed regulation risks achieving neither. Until Draft Statement 000 is fundamentally revised, we cannot and will not support it. ‘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/thought-leader/opinion/2026-05-05-western-cape-government-rejects-job-killing-draft-broad-based-black-economic-empowerment-regulations/

Zelda Venter | 24 May 2026 While the public gallery in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, was on Monday packed to the brim with members of the legal fraternity, the country’s top legal minds present to present their legal arguments in the legal challenge against and for the BEE Legal Sector Code (LSC), the formal arguments will only start on Tuesday. The legal challenge, brought by four of the country’s biggest law firms – Deneys-Reitz (earlier know as Norton Rose Fulbright), Webber Wentzel, Werkmans and Bowmans, which will take a look at transformation in the legal profession, has been set down for the entire week. The proceedings only resumed at lunchtime, as the parties have been in discussions with each other since Sunday. Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, who is representing three of the law firms, told Judge Nicolene Janse van Nieuwenhuizen that the discussions will meanwhile proceed and they “may or may not” get somewhere with it. The nature of the discussions was not divulged. The applicants also asked the court to consider holding the proceedings virtually, but the majority of the defendants, which include the justice minister and various law bodies, insisted on open court due to the public interest in the matter. They pointed out that members from the legal fraternity travelled from across the country to attend the proceedings. In ruling for the open court option, the judge, who is sitting with two other judges, commented that this is a matter of grave public interest. Bowmans, Webber Wentzel and Werksmans argue that the LSC, in its present form, is unlawful, unworkable, and risks undermining, rather than advancing, meaningful broad-based transformation in the legal profession, harming the very people it is supposed to benefit. They will therefore ask the court to set aside the LSC. The code was published by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, in September 2024. In their heads of argument, the three firms make clear that they support meaningful, inclusive and sustainable transformation of the legal profession, both within their own firms and across the wider legal sector. Their case is that the current LSC is fundamentally misconceived in design and effect, and that it will hinder rather than advance meaningful broad-based transformation. The LSC exempts more than 95% of legal practices from its requirements. According to the papers, legal entities with between one and three partners make up 95.07% of legal practices, yet the LSC does not apply to them because they fall below the turnover threshold for compliance. The firms argue that a code that applies to less than 5% of the profession cannot credibly transform the sector as a whole. The firms further argue that the defects in the LSC have real-world consequences for broad-based transformation. According to them, if the LSC is allowed to stand, those most likely to lose are the people and institutions that rely on practical, broad-based pathways into and through the legal sector. These, they say, include black law students, young graduates, black professionals in management, persons with disabilities, and the public-interest organisations that expand access to justice. At the heart of the problem, they say, is that the LSC removes recognition for several proven transformation mechanisms under the Generic Codes. These include bursaries for black students, skills development for employees and learners with disabilities, and socio-economic development contributions. The firms argue that these are not peripheral, but foundational to a functioning transformation pipeline: without investment in students, entry into the profession narrows; without support for disability-focused training, inclusion is set back; and without incentives for socio-economic contributions, organisations serving vulnerable communities, such as Probono.org and Black Sash, and the people who depend on them, are likely to be adversely affected. The 12 respondents, which include the justice minister and several law bodies, are vigorously opposing the application. ‘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/2026-05-04-top-law-firms-contest-landmark-legal-transformation-case/

Malcolm Libera | 28 April 2026 Taxpayers have been warned that the National Treasury’s newly proposed procurement regulations will drive up costs, reduce competition, and ultimately lead to a higher tax burden. This month, the National Treasury has published the draft General Public Procurement Regulations for public comment. The policy in its current form could lead to sweeping changes to procurement legislation and black economic empowerment (BEE) in South Africa. These regulations, if passed, will bring into effect the Public Procurement Act, which President Cyril Ramaphosa assented to in July 2024. Under the draft General Public Procurement Regulations, companies that wish to do business with the government must demonstrate that a large percentage of their prior procurements were with majority-black-owned businesses. Specifically, the regulations state that companies must show that at least 40% of their prior procurement was spent on enterprises that are at least 51% owned and managed by black persons. Speaking in an interview with BizNews, Democratic Alliance (DA) finance spokesperson Mark Burke said the new regulations will lead to poor value for the South African taxpayer and for local service delivery. He added that the measures are “completely unnecessary” and “exactly the opposite of what the country needs at this juncture.” Burke explained that whenever someone does business with the state, they must conform to a specific type of ownership and management structure to bid competitively. While governments often negotiate lower prices from suppliers, he said the new system flips that logic. “You go from asking for a discount to being willing to overpay because you’ve got these silly requirements,” he said. He warned that this would significantly shrink the pool of suppliers. He argued that, by implication, the government can procure only a small portion of the whole pie, which means they’ll end up overpaying for services. Taxpayers will have to foot a larger bill According to Burke, the regulations will entrench inefficiencies in an already strained economy. He said businesses are already operating in a tough environment with their hands tied behind their backs. He cited unreliable electricity, logistics challenges, and rigid labour conditions as examples of this, and added that further structural requirements will deter business in the country. He further argued that the system risks fuelling corruption and cronyism. It will lead to “the sort of corruption we’re already seeing”, where procurement benefits the elite, connected few rather than the broader population. For taxpayers, Burke warned that the financial consequences will be widespread. “Toilet paper will become more expensive. Tunnels will become more expensive, and everything in between will become more expensive as a result of this,” he said. He linked this directly to growing frustration among South Africans, noting that many already feel overtaxed and underserved. “If you speak to anybody contributing to the tax base, they don’t feel like they’re getting massive value for money. In fact, they feel the opposite.” This means taxpayers will have to foot a larger bill for the government to perform its basic functions, as those increased costs will require more revenue to be squeezed from a stagnant economy. This is on top of the existing cost of BEE in South Africa, with research from the Free Market Foundation showing that it already costs the economy R290 billion in direct compliance costs and lost economic activity. The DA is now challenging the regulations on multiple fronts. Burke noted that the party has taken the matter to the Constitutional Court of South Africa. The party is also preparing to oppose the regulations in Parliament and raise public awareness. ‘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/858549/taxpayers-to-pay-more-to-fund-south-africas-new-bee-rules/

Nompu Siziba | 23 April 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on business to do more on its part to empower particularly the country’s youth in being more work ready, given the current educational mismatch in terms of skills and industries. The President was giving the keynote address at the National Business Initiative’s (NBI) 30th birthday celebration taking place in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Thursday. The President praises the NBI for pioneering initiatives that have supported transformation, the improvement of service delivery and spearheading skills development programmes. Ramaphosa says the organisation made a significant contribution to the democratic project of the country in the early 1990s and was driven by a progressive mentality that sought to benefit wider society. “It actively supported the work of the Independent Electoral Commission and mobilised private sector support for the Reconstruction and Development Programme. When the Consultative Business Movement merged with the Urban Foundation in 1995 to form the NBI, it represented rebirth but also continuity. The organisation had already cemented its reputation as a credible, non-partisan and pragmatic partner in the cause of building a new South Africa.” While praising the strides that business has made to the fortunes of the country thus far, the President bemoans the country’s continued structural high unemployment levels, and calls on business to do more to assist in ensuring that the youth are empowered to better learn skills to enable them to be more work ready than they are currently. “I must say this is one area that we still need to panel beat into a much better shape and I’ve heard a number of you – some of you sitting here – talking about this and I would like to carrel you so that we work on this and produce a skills and job pairing system that will be second to none. I’ve been overjoyed when I’ve gone to countries such as Germany and Switzerland when I’ve seen how they’re able to take young people, skill them and immediately have them placed in jobs.” The President reiterates that the government was doing its part to push the structural reform agenda, which includes improving areas like the energy and logistics sectors, as well as helping to turn around local government, among other issues. This, ultimately to make the country more attractive for investment and for business players to stay for the long-haul in helping to grow the economy and jobs. ‘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.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/president-ramaphosa-urges-business-to-prioritise-youth-employability/

Hasina Kathrada | 27 April 2026 At a time when black economic empowerment is increasingly reduced to a shorthand for elite enrichment, Cape Flats to the JSE enters the conversation as a deliberate counter-narrative. The Johannesburg launch, held at Exclusive Books in Rosebank on Thursday, positioned the book not only as a company history, but as an intervention in how South Africa remembers and debates B-BBEE. Author Phakamisa Ndzamela was explicit about his intention. The book challenges a dominant narrative that portrays empowerment as a failed project benefiting only a politically connected few. Instead, it uses the rise of Brimstone Investment Corporation to argue for a more layered understanding of how empowerment unfolded in practice. Brimstone, founded in 1995 by Mustaq Brey, Fred Robertson and Rashid Seria, is presented as a case study of an alternative model. From modest beginnings, the company grew into one of the country’s longest-standing black-controlled firms on the JSE, building a portfolio across sectors including fishing, healthcare and financial services. But the discussion at the launch made clear that this is not a simple success story. Ndzamela traced the origins of the book to his postgraduate research in business history, where he struggled to find black-owned companies with sufficient archival material to support rigorous analysis. Brimstone stood out because it had kept records, minutes and institutional documentation, allowing its trajectory to be reconstructed with unusual depth. That absence of documentation is central to the book’s contribution. Without recorded histories, the story of black business is either reduced to anecdote or dominated by a narrow set of high-profile deals that have come to define public perception. In that sense, the value of Cape Flats to the JSE lies not only in the story it tells, but in the record it creates, offering a rare, evidence-based account of how a black-controlled company was built, financed and sustained over time. Ndzamela also located the story geographically. The Cape Flats, often portrayed through the lens of crime and deprivation, is reframed as a site of entrepreneurial activity. “A child from the Cape Flats should know that the Cape Flats is not just about guns and cars, but there is entrepreneurship there too,” he said. In conversation with former Brimstone executive Lawrie Brozin, the discussion moved into the mechanics behind that narrative. Brozin, who joined the company in 1996, described an early environment shaped by risk, limited capital and reliance on relationships rather than formal funding structures. Investors, he said, often backed the founders themselves rather than a fully formed business proposition. Deals were built on trust, reputation and a willingness to take calculated risks in an uncertain market. “We worked hard. We took chances. And we backed each other,” he said. The emphasis on trust was not incidental. In a context where capital was scarce and formal systems were still evolving, relationships became the infrastructure through which deals were made. Even with legal frameworks in place, Brozin suggested, the success of transactions often depended on the credibility of the individuals involved. The book also complicates the narrative that empowerment created entrepreneurs from scratch. Brimstone’s founders entered the post-apartheid economy with prior experience. Brey was a chartered accountant, Robertson had built a career in insurance and education and Seria brought a background in journalism and activism. Ndzamela uses this to argue that empowerment and entrepreneurship are not mutually exclusive, but that policy often enabled existing entrepreneurial capacity to scale. He also sought to counter the claim that B-BBEE benefited only a narrow elite. His research into Brimstone’s shareholding found that about two million shares were held by black investors on the Cape Flats, with a further two million held through the Brimstone Empowerment Share Trust. For Ndzamela, this indicates a level of participation that is often overlooked. Yet the discussion did not dismiss the broader critique. Ndzamela acknowledged that inequality persists and that not all beneficiaries of empowerment have been broad-based. Wealth concentration, he argued, is a feature of capitalism itself, rather than unique to B-BBEE. Brozin’s account of deal-making reinforced that unevenness. Many empowerment transactions were highly leveraged and dependent on market conditions. Some delivered significant returns. Others collapsed, forcing companies to absorb losses and meet obligations under pressure. He spoke openly about failed deals and financial strain, stressing that the company’s survival depended on honouring commitments even when investments did not perform. Internal cohesion, he suggested, mattered as much as strategy. The conversation also turned to the future of B-BBEE. Ndzamela argued that the framework is unlikely to be dismantled, given its legislative foundation and the structural inequalities it was designed to address. However, he acknowledged that it will need to evolve. As the first generation of empowerment founders reaches retirement age, companies will face decisions about how to unlock value and transfer ownership without destabilising the businesses they built. At the same time, shifts in the economy, including pressure on conglomerates to unbundle and emerging opportunities in sectors such as energy, are likely to reshape the landscape. Brozin suggested that the model requires refinement, particularly in expanding ownership to employees and those directly involved in building businesses. What emerged from the launch is a picture that resists easy classification. The book challenges the dominant critique of B-BBEE, but does not dismiss its failures. Instead, it suggests that the absence of documented black business histories has narrowed how empowerment is understood, leaving both its successes and its limits only partially visible. Cape Flats to the JSE does not resolve the debate around B-BBEE. Its value lies in reopening it with evidence, offering a grounded account that complicates both celebration and dismissal and placing on record a story that might otherwise have remained anecdotal. ‘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/2026-04-27-cape-flats-to-the-jse-new-book-challenges-narrow-narrative-of-b-bbee/

Luis Monzon | 22 April 2026 South Africa’s communication regulator, ICASA, is working on a new licensing framework for satellite Internet operators, and specifically named Elon Musk’s SpaceX among firms it will target. In its annual performance plan for 2026/27, ICASA said it was developing the framework to address the widening digital divide in remote areas and encourage investment. “The goal is to create a transparent, efficient, and sustainable regulatory environment that fosters investment, competition, and the expansion of satellite services,” it said in the plan. ICASA explained that the new licensing framework is aimed at increasing access to Internet connectivity in rural areas in South Africa and reducing cross-border communication costs. “Newer ICT technologies and infrastructure are needed in the rural, remote, and underserved areas to mitigate the widening of the digital divide,” it said, listing satellite operators as a solution. “ICASA will monitor the impact of satellite-based services and their potential role in providing more affordable cross-border communications.” The regulator clarified that the development of the framework was a multi-year project with specific completion goals. It was initiated in the 2025/26 financial year and approved by Council.  This, it said, constitutes 75% of the total process. The remaining part of the process will be concluded in the 2026/27 financial year when the “Final Satellite Regulation” is approved by Council.  ICASA would now conduct public hearings as it prepared draft final regulations for legal vetting. This will be the final step before the regulations are approved by Q4 in the financial year. The regulator also said it had published statements on its website and social media to inform the public about unlicensed satellite operators providing services in South Africa.  In 2025, MyBroadband reported that many homes and businesses in South Africa were unlawfully using Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite Internet service. It was unlawful because the company was unlicensed. Starlink in South Africa A MyBroadband analysis at the time showed that Starlink’s speed and latency continued to improve significantly in South Africa, thanks to the company’s steady expansion across the continent. Starlink saw significant speed improvements in South Africa that year, thanks to SpaceX installing ground stations in Kenya and Mozambique and to the growth of its orbital satellite fleet. While Starlink remains unlawful to use in South Africa, some South Africans in remote areas accessed the service using its roaming product as a workaround, albeit at a higher cost. The company attempted to restrict the exploitation of its roaming service, where customers can still connect to Starlink Internet outside of their country of origin, by cutting the service after a specific time. However, the bypassing of these restrictions was becoming easier as Starlink launched in South Africa’s closest neighbours, including Lesotho in June 2025. In February, Starlink dispelled certain myths about its planned local operations, including denying that it wanted to bypass Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) legislation. “Starlink supports South Africa’s transformation objectives and proposes to meet them through Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes (EEIPs), a lawful and well-established B-BBEE mechanism,” it said. It argued that ICASA’s current regulations around licensing operators do not align with B-BBEE legislation and empowerment goals. The company highlighted that other sectors, such as technology and mining, allow foreign companies to operate in South Africa without being 30% owned by historically disadvantaged groups. These companies instead use Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes (EEIPs) to contribute to transformation, where investments were made into projects advancing transformation goals. “The goal is to encourage investment, promote competition and innovation, give practical effect to the ICT Sector Code, and ensure regulatory consistency,” ICASA said about EEIPs in its performance plan. With EEIPs, companies can meet their empowerment obligations through strategic investments rather than solely through direct ownership, making it easier for multinationals to invest locally. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://mybroadband.co.za/news/broadband/642395-new-rules-for-satellite-internet-operators-in-south-africa-including-starlink.html

Lisa Beyers | 22 April 2026 Civil rights organisation Solidarity has confirmed it will proceed with its Constitutional Court challenge against South Africa’s Public Procurement Act, with the case scheduled for 18 and 19 May this year. The development comes as National Treasury published new regulations under the Act, which Solidarity argues will significantly increase costs for taxpayers and undermine service delivery. According to the regulations, state institutions must reserve 30% of all procurement for black-owned enterprises. Additionally, any business seeking state contracts must demonstrate that at least 40% of its own procurement comes from suppliers with predominantly black ownership. Unlike previous procurement rules, non-compliance with these Black Economic Empowerment requirements now constitutes grounds for automatic exclusion from all state contracts. Anton van der Bijl, deputy chief executive of Solidarity, questioned the timing of the regulations. “The audacity of doing this shortly before a ruling on whether the Act is fair or not is quite astonishing. These regulations will significantly increase procurement costs by narrowing the pool of suppliers available to the state,” Van der Bijl said. He added that suppliers complying with BEE requirements would face virtually no limit on prices they could charge for goods and services, with taxpayers ultimately bearing the cost. Theuns du Buisson, economic researcher at the Solidarity Research Institute, explained that preferential procurement prevents the state from purchasing directly from the most affordable suppliers, creating a system where middlemen profit without adding value. “When prices are artificially inflated by adding intermediaries as additional links in the chain, this mandate is undermined. The result is that ordinary South Africans pay more for poorer service delivery,” Du Buisson said. He cited National Treasury estimates indicating that up to 40% of public procurement is lost to fraud, inflated pricing and intermediary structures. Du Buisson described the legislation as one of the most racially discriminatory pieces introduced since 1994, claiming it effectively disqualifies white businesspeople. Solidarity argues the case centres on constitutional principles of fairness, efficiency and accountability, with direct implications for taxes, service delivery and quality of life for all South Africans. The Constitutional Court’s ruling in May will determine whether the Public Procurement Act and its regulations comply with the constitution. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://novanews.co.za/solidarity-challenges-new-bee-procurement-regulations-ahead-of-may-court-case/

Lehlohonolo Lehana | 20 April 2026 Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi met with legal practitioners in a stakeholder engagement as part of government’s efforts to strengthen collaboration and advance transformation within the legal sector. This engagement provided a platform for constructive dialogue with legal practitioners on matters relating to transformation and the empowerment of previously disadvantaged professionals within the legal sector. Various members of the legal fraternity as well as representatives of legal bodies were outspoken about the fact that black lawyers are overlooked, especially when it came to the State Attorney allocating work in high-profile cases.  Kubayi has emphasised that the transformation of the legal sector remains integral to sustaining South Africa’s democracy. “Most studies have indicated that the transformation of the legal profession is facing resistance by established players who have benefited from the status quo, and this has also manifested itself with legal challenges against the legal sector code.” “There are still many barriers that restrict the careers of talented black and female lawyers, including racist treatment, sexual harassment, and briefing patterns which give preference to white men.” “That can’t be ignored. It cannot be that it is not acknowledged that transformation is necessary in this sector, because the worst off in this sector remain the black women. We are going to have to work together…in partnership to be able to fight the resistance and transform our sector,” Kubayi said. Kubayi gave the assurance that the concerns will be addressed. She said while they are valid, the worst off in this sector are black female practitioners. She actively defended the Legal Sector Code (LSC) against legal challenges from major law firms. She said the LSC is crucial for transformation. The Minister has instructed all State Attorney Offices to hold quarterly stakeholder engagements to deepen transformation even further. The acting Solicitor-General, Felix Mbeki, gave an overview during the proceedings, including statistics as to how work is being allocated and which processes had to be followed to be considered. He also painted a positive picture on how practitioners called upon to do work for the State are paid within the stipulated 30-day payment frame. This sparked an emotional outcry from many of the lawyers present, who said these were simply wrong and that these figures did not represent the plight of the smaller black firms who are being overlooked. Mbeki gave the assurance that since the establishment of the Office of the Solicitor-General, a structured and policy-driven approach has been implemented to promote fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in the allocation of state legal work. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://fullview.co.za/kubayi-pledges-to-improve-inclusivity-transparency-in-legal-sector/

Bianke Neethling | 20 April 2026 The National Treasury has published the draft General Public Procurement Regulations for public comment, which could lead to sweeping changes to procurement legislation and black economic empowerment (BEE) in South Africa. The Treasury explained that, due to the length and complexity of the draft General Public Procurement Regulations, a longer consultation period has been given for submitting public comments. These regulations, if passed, will bring into effect the Public Procurement Act, which President Cyril Ramaphosa assented to in July 2024. This Act has been controversial since its inception, as various parties have supported or opposed the new procurement rules, and the draft General Public Procurement Regulations are set to be no different, particularly regarding BEE requirements. Under the draft General Public Procurement Regulations, companies that wish to do business with the government must demonstrate that a large percentage of their prior procurement was with majority black-owned businesses. Specifically, the regulations state that companies must show that at least 40% of their prior procurement was spent on enterprises that are at least 51% owned and managed by black persons. This detail, and other specifications in the regulations, show the Treasury’s commitment to ensuring BEE in the new legislation. This comes at a time when BEE policies are increasingly under scrutiny, both within and outside the government. It also comes as Trade Minister Parks Tau is developing the idea of a new Transformation Fund, which many suspect may replace BEE policies as they’re currently understood. Ramaphosa previously explained that this Transformation Fund will be used to support black-owned and small businesses, though he rejected suggestions that BEE should be abandoned. While details are still lacking, it is believed that the Transformation Fund will be funded by companies that choose to contribute 3% of their net income. Companies that do so will earn double the BEE points currently available for their contributions towards enterprise and supplier development. This setup has led some, including Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt, to refer to the Transformation Fund as an effective “empowerment tax” that South African companies can pay rather than deal with complex BEE scorecards. Public procurement in the spotlight again The Public Procurement Act, which the Treasury’s draft General Public Procurement Regulations are seeking to give effect to, is intended to close loopholes and improve South Africa’s procurement processes. South Africa’s weak procurement regulations and enforcement have been a thorn in the country’s side for years, having been exploited by various bad actors seeking to profit. On 9 April 2026, the Institute for Race Relations’ (IRR) Makone Maja explained that South Africa’s public procurement rules have been weaponised against citizens and require a major overhaul. “Public procurement processes are often more amenable to abuse by opportunistic and corrupt officials seeking self-enrichment,” Maja said, specifically in reference to revelations made during the Madlanga Commission. “The IRR hopes the Madlanga Commission will go further in establishing the role of BEE as the glue that binds procurement to wasteful expenditure through BEE premiums, as well as corruption and capture through patrimonialism.”  “This golden thread runs through both the Zondo and the Madlanga commissions, which have effectively investigated the same issue.”  Maja explained that both of these commissions uncovered state capture by private interests who collude with politicians and others in public office. This collusion, she said, is done to exploit procurement processes in a bid to enrich themselves at the expense of critical state institutions most South Africans depend on for basic services. “As the retired Justices Madlanga and Zondo reach similar conclusions regarding public procurement rules, we must demand that their recommendations regarding procurement and BEE be reflected in all institutions and laws,” Maja 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://dailyinvestor.com/south-africa/130315/new-bee-rules-for-south-africa-on-the-cards/