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Lyse Comins | 4 February 2026 The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has gazetted procedures that elevate Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) compliance as a core criterion in allocating preferential export quotas to the European Union under the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) for 2026. Published in Government Gazette No. 54037 on January 30, the notice outlines the application, administration and allocation of Tariff Rate Quotas for specified agricultural products. According to the notice, permits will be allocated via the Preferential Market Access Permit Allocation System, which weighs five variables, with B-BBEE listed first as follows: The B-BBEE status of applicants will be determined based on a valid B-BBEE certificate measured against the Amended Agricultural Black Economic Empowerment (AgriBEE) Sector Code, issued by a SANAS-accredited verification agency. Alternatively, a B-BBEE sworn affidavit may be submitted for Exempted Micro Enterprises (EME) and Black-Owned Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE). The market share of applicants – derived from historical export data for the past three years (2022, 2023, 2024). The quota applied for by applicants. The number of applicants. The total quota available for the specific product. According to the AgriBEE Sector Code, enterprises with an annual turnover of R10 million or less qualify as an EME. An EME will enjoy a deemed B-BBEE recognition status of level 4 or enhancement level 1 or 2. A QSE is an enterprise with an annual turnover between R10 million and R50 million. It qualifies for B-BBEE recognition levels 1 or 2 (as defined in the Amended AgriBEE Sector Code). QSEs that are at least 100% or 51% black-owned must use a B-BBEE sworn affidavit. However, a QSE that is less than 51% black-owned must undergo a B-BBEE verification with an accredited SANAS verification agency. A large enterprise is defined as having an annual turnover exceeding R50 million, regardless of the percentage of the black ownership. The enterprise must undergo B-BBEE verification with an accredited SANAS B-BBEE agency to obtain a valid certificate. Quotas allocated to exporters will be provisional in terms of the notice. “The department will assess the utilisation rate during (the) quota year after which there will be re-allocation,” it notes. “Despite any provisions in other laws, applicants registered as joint ventures, mergers, consortiums, holding companies or other similar business arrangements are not allowed to apply separately from their subsidiaries, minority shareholders or divisions for the same product, as this will create an unfair advantage towards other applicants." Companies that have common Directors or Owners will be disqualified. "If the market share for a particular applicant exceeds the limit for dominant firms, contemplated in section 7(a)-(c) of the Competition Act, Act 89 of 1998 as amended; the Department can adjust the allocation formula to create fair competition within that industry or sector,” the Gazette notes. The notice applies to 2026 quotas, with permits valid from January 1 to December 31, 2026. It replaces prior notices on SADC-EU EPA export procedures. Read the gazette here . ‘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.freightnews.co.za/article/empowerment-rules-dominate-export-permit-allocation

The Drafts are not merely technical changes, they reflect a policy direction with practical implications for business transformation, compliance strategy, and economic participation. Some of the major areas that have been introduced are as follows:   Introduction of a Transformation Fund   A major proposal is the establishment of a Transformation Fund as an alternative compliance route to traditional Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) spend. Businesses could contribute a fixed percentage, 3% of Net Profit After Tax, into this fund to earn a significant portion of B-BBEE scorecard points, 20 Points, centralising and scaling funding for Black Owned and Black Managed enterprises.   Redesign of Procurement and Supplier Targets   The Draft Scorecards emphasise more nuanced supplier spend targets, including distinct weighting for procurement from 100% Black Owned enterprises and 100% Black Women Owned enterprises, signalling a shift toward more outcome-oriented procurement transformation.   Equity Equivalent Investment Programme for Multinationals   Draft Statement 103 introduces the Transformation Fund as one of the Programmes that can be implement under the Equity Equivalent Investment Programme.   Definition of the Transformation Fund   Draft Schedule 1 of 2026 defines the “Transformation Fund” as “an aggregated mechanism to accelerate economic transformation and support Black enterprises, particularly EMEs and QSEs. It aims to pool resources from measured entities to create a scalable impact rather than fragmented individual ESD initiatives.”   Furthermore, majority of the Amendments have been incorporated under Draft Statement 400 of the General B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice. The Key Amendments are as follows:   “1. The introduction of 2.4, the Transformation Fund, the Annual Value of Contribution of 3% of the Net Profit After Tax to the Transformation Fund, and the introduction of weighting points of 20. This is introduced as an alternative to the existing contribution to Enterprise Development and Supplier Development. Measured Entities will continue to score points for implementing their existing Enterprise Development or Supplier Development.   2. The introduction of 15% procurement target for 100% black owned EMEs and QSEs each.   3. The introduction of 25% procurement target for 100% black owned enterprises.   4. The introduction of 25% procurement target for enterprises that are between 51% to 99% black owned.   5. The introduction of 12% procurement target for 100% black women-owned enterprises.   6. The increase of the procurement compliance target to 10% on bonus points for companies that are at least 100% owned by Designated Groups.   7. The increase in bonus points for measured Entities that enable the recipient of ESD contributions and/or a 100% black owned QSE or EME, and a first-time supplier that has a minimum 3-year contract with the Measured Entity.   8. The increase in bonus points for a measured entity that enables an average turnover and job creation growth of at least 10% per annum for a period of a three-year contract of all on-boarded first-time suppliers   9. Clarified that measured entities, for the purpose of Enterprise Development and Supplier Development, are required to submit a needs analysis, performance metrics (with outputs and outcomes), and an annual Monitoring and Evaluation report that must be verified before recognition of points to be scored.   10. Revision of the ESD Recognition Matrix.”   Technical Services  are available to assist Members with understanding the Draft Gazettes and the impact thereof.

Malcolm Libera | 4 February 2026 The government’s plan to channel R100 billion into black-owned businesses through a Transformation Fund has come under fire, with critics warning that it risks becoming another poorly governed, corruption-prone initiative with limited real economic impact. On 19 March 2025, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau published the Draft Transformation Fund concept document for public comment. The proposal outlines a fund capitalised at R100 billion over five years, effectively allocating about R20 billion a year to black-owned and controlled enterprises. Broken down further, this equates to around R55 million a day, or roughly R80 million per working day, aimed at boosting black participation across key sectors of the economy. The fund is intended to consolidate enterprise and supplier development (ESD) contributions that companies already make under South Africa’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) codes. Under existing rules, firms are expected to spend 3% of their net profit after tax on developing black suppliers, black industrialists, and small and medium enterprises. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) has stressed that the Transformation Fund does not introduce a new financial burden, but rather restructures how these obligations are pooled and managed. Tau has argued that centralising these contributions will create a more coordinated and efficient system, allowing the state to offer both financial and non-financial support, including mentoring, market access, and capacity building. The draft document lists objectives that include improving access to funding for black-owned businesses, increasing their participation in economic value chains, and mobilising public and private resources to drive broader economic inclusion. The proposal has gained further prominence following the government’s move to amend B-BBEE regulations. In January 2026, Tau noted that under the draft amendments, white-owned companies would be allowed to earn empowerment points by contributing to the Transformation Fund. Growing opposition However, stakeholders and political parties have objected to the plan. Trade union Solidarity has sent a letter of demand to the DTIC, accusing the department of misleading the public about the readiness and design of the fund. According to Solidarity deputy chief executive Anton van der Bijl, there are material contradictions between earlier responses the department gave under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) and information now circulating publicly. Van der Bijl said the department previously claimed the fund was insufficiently developed to disclose key documents, costings, and impact studies.  “Now it is being reported that the fund could be ready to launch as early as next week, with billions of rands in financial commitments, a fixed governance model and a defined incentive structure,” he said. Solidarity has questioned how a fund reportedly backed by early commitments of around R13 billion, including from public entities such as the Unemployment Insurance Fund, the Industrial Development Corporation and the Development Bank of Southern Africa, could exist without extensive internal studies and approvals.  It has also raised concerns about whether the use of contributors’ money by institutions like the UIF has been properly authorised. The union warned that implementing the fund without full compliance with the Public Finance Management Act would be unlawful and constitutionally invalid.  “This looks and smells like another cadre-government looting fund,” Van der Bijl said, adding that taxpayers have a right to transparency and proper oversight. Business leaders have echoed these concerns. Hiten Keshave, CEO of Unconventional CA, said the revised proposal does little to address fundamental flaws.  He warned that centralising large pools of money without a clear strategy risks wasting funds, especially given South Africa’s track record with similar schemes that have delivered limited benefits to small and black-owned businesses. Political parties within the Government of National Unity have also voiced opposition. The Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in government, said it would not support the plan.  Its trade spokesperson, Toby Chance, warned that the fund could become a “bottomless pit” for taxpayers’ money, arguing that race-based policies like B-BBEE have failed to close the inequality gap and that support should instead be allocated based on merit, viability, and growth potential. ‘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/849677/plan-to-give-black-businesses-in-south-africa-r55-million-a-day-under-fire/

Staff Writer | 4 February 2026 End Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) premiums and save taxpayers billions of rands by endorsing the Value for Money Bill drafted by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR). This is the challenge IRR CEO Dr John Endres has delivered in a letter to Cyril Ramaphosa as the President finalises his ninth State of the Nation (SONA) speech, slated for 12 February. The Value for Money Bill is part of a legislative package drafted by the IRR aimed at genuinely transforming South Africa into a prospering, non-racial society. The other bills in the package – all four of which were published last year – are the No More Race Laws Bill, the Right To Own Bill, and the Freedom From Poverty Bill. The Value for Money Bill contains proposals which stand to enable the government to save taxpayers up to R150 billion in procurement spending by eliminating BEE premiums and appointing government service providers on a strictly value-for-money basis. Inspired by the findings and recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption, and Fraud in the Public Sector, or the Zondo commission as it is popularly known, the Bill maximises value for money in procurement and, by so doing, addresses many issues facing South African households, including the cost-of-living crisis, declining service delivery, the lack of jobs, and stagnant economic growth. IRR research demonstrates that implementing the Bill could save government between R100 billion and R150 billion, and would enable it to cut Value-Added Tax (VAT) from 15% to 11.5%. Lowering taxes would relieve much of the financial pressure on households, and curb wasteful public spending that presently runs to billions of rands. Dr Endres cites IRR polling in which seven out of ten respondents elect value-for-money as the principle of their choice in public procurement. Taxpayers believe the government should prioritise buying the best-quality product that offers durability and longevity rather than paying more to fund BEE premiums. “Polling also shows that South Africans overwhelmingly support tax relief when it is credibly linked to better value for money. Cutting waste and overpricing in procurement enjoys far broader support than raising taxes or expanding spending under current conditions. A value-for-money reform agenda therefore carries not only economic logic, but democratic legitimacy,” says Dr Endres. According to Dr Endres, the SONA 2026 presents Ramaphosa with the opportunity to the implement bold reforms.  “The right of a South African president to address Parliament at the start of each year carries a serious obligation to provide more than mere rhetoric and political grandstanding,” Dr Endres writes in his letter to the President. “As head of state and government, you have the unique opportunity to demonstrate in your upcoming address to Parliament that you are willing and able to lead pro-growth reforms in the interest of all South Africans.” The IRR has invited Ramaphosa to discuss the detail of the Value for Money Bill. You can learn more about the draft law here, and sign a petition in support of its proposals here. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those o f the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://dailyfriend.co.za/2026/02/04/replace-bee-premiums-with-value-for-money-irr-ceo-urges-ramaphosa/

Sihle Bulose and Lebogang Molebale | 2 February 2026 As corporate regulation evolves globally, new frameworks are emerging that reconceptualise the relationship between governance, strategy and value creation. These are not merely updated compliance requirements but rather comprehensive reimagining of what responsible corporate stewardship means in an era defined by technological disruption, environmental pressure and unprecedented stakeholder scrutiny. Evolution of corporate governance In South Africa, this evolution finds its most comprehensive expression in the King V Report on Corporate Governance (King V), effective from 1 January 2026. As organisations prepare for this transition, the critical question is not simply how to comply but how to understand that these frameworks will fundamentally alter decision-making across every strategic function. King V, building on three decades of governance evolution since the post-apartheid King I Code in 1994, represents a performance-driven framework that will reshape how boards evaluate opportunities, assess risks and allocate resources. Three imperatives explain why governance frameworks such as King V will shape business decisions in the years ahead. Firstly, the concept of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) has shifted from reputational concern to strategic necessity, influencing financial performance, competitive positioning and stakeholder expectations. Investors, clients and regulators now assess organisations through transparent ESG measures, making sustainability and ethics central to long-term value. Secondly, governance is no longer just a compliance exercise but a driver of value creation. Stakeholders can easily distinguish genuine integration from box-ticking, and King V’s principles-based approach reinforces this by focusing on outcomes rather than prescriptive processes. However, one can expect that the implementation of these principles will vary based on the type of industry or business venture, resulting in different value creation outcomes. Thirdly, rapid technological change, especially artificial intelligence (AI), has introduced risks and responsibilities that traditional governance models did not anticipate. Decisions made by or influenced through AI carry ethical, operational and strategic implications, requiring board-level oversight. King V recognises this explicitly, positioning technology governance as a core component of organisational accountability. However, it must be noted that companies for whom King V is not mandatory (for example, non-listed companies under no statutory or contractual obligation to comply), will have greater flexibility in respect of the enforcement of the principles enunciated in King V. Reshaping capital allocation and strategic decisions When evaluating a major capital investment or expansion opportunity, boards have traditionally focused primarily on funding mechanisms, financial returns, competitive positioning and operational feasibility. King V transforms this analysis by requiring explicit consideration of how the investment affects all organisational resources. A board considering manufacturing facility expansion must now assess and disclose: What are the environmental impacts, and how will these be managed within the context of climate risk? How does this decision affect workforce development and employment security in affected communities? What social relationships and stakeholder dynamics will influence license to operate? How do these factors create financial risks or opportunities over the investment horizon? These are not supplementary considerations to be addressed after economic analysis is complete, but rather they are integral to risk assessment and value creation analysis, and the disclosure template requires boards to explain how these factors influenced the decision. A board that approves an expansion generating strong financial returns but creating significant environmental liabilities or community opposition will need to explain publicly why it determined this trade-off served long-term value creation. This transparency fundamentally changes decision-making because it makes the full cost of decisions visible to investors, regulators and other stakeholders who can then assess whether the board exercised appropriate judgment. Mergers and acquisitions will be similarly transformed. Due diligence processes must now extend beyond financial, legal and operational assessments to encompass a comprehensive evaluation of sustainability performance, social impact and governance quality. A company with strong financial performance but weak environmental compliance, inadequate data governance or problematic labour practices represents integration risks and potential liabilities that King V requires boards to assess and disclose. Valuation models must incorporate these factors because they affect future cash flows, regulatory costs and stakeholder relationships. While King V broadens the scope for governance oversight and disclosure, it does not mandate that ESG/community/social outcomes override financial or commercial return decisions. What it requires is consideration and disclosure — how materially, and how those results weigh in decisions still depends on the board's judgment. Strategic planning processes will be fundamentally reshaped by King V's requirement that governing bodies consider the combined context of economy, society and environment. Annual strategy reviews can no longer focus exclusively on market positioning and financial targets but must explicitly address how environmental trends affect business model viability, what social factors influence workforce stability and community relationships, and how governance practices affect reputation and stakeholder trust. Transforming technology deployment Technology deployment decisions, particularly regarding AI, will require fundamentally different approval processes. A board considering implementation of an AI system for customer service, credit assessment, hiring decisions or operational optimisation must now evaluate: What decisions will this system make or influence? What data trains the algorithm, and how is bias identified and mitigated? What human oversight mechanisms ensure appropriate judgment remains embedded in critical processes? How are decisions explained to affected individuals? What happens when AI recommendations conflict with human assessment? King V requires that these questions be answered before deployment, with oversight mechanisms proportionate to risk. A logistics optimisation algorithm requires different governance from a credit scoring system, which requires different governance from a hiring assessment tool. Boards must establish frameworks for categorising AI applications by risk level and implementing appropriate oversight for each category. Boards must assess whether adequate governance infrastructure exists to deploy technologies responsibly, and this assessment becomes a gating factor in deployment decisions. The expansion of information governance requirements beyond cybersecurity to encompass all data leaks and security breaches, regardless of cause, will reshape how organisations approach data handling decisions. When a board considers a new data collection initiative, customer analytics programme or third-party data sharing arrangement, it must now evaluate comprehensively: How will this data be secured? Who will have access? What training ensures employees understand handling obligations? How are third-party recipients assessed and monitored? These considerations affect fundamental business model decisions. A company considering whether to monetise customer data through third-party arrangements must assess not only revenue potential but also the information governance infrastructure required, the disclosure obligations triggered and the stakeholder trust implications. Board composition Board composition decisions will be immediately affected by King V's tightened independence criteria. The two-year cooling-off period for former executive managers seeking independent classification means boards must now plan director succession differently. A retiring CEO who might previously have transitioned quickly to an independent director role must now wait two years with no significant organisational involvement, before taking up the role of independent director. The nine-year service limit on independence classification means boards must proactively plan for director rotation, identifying and developing new independent directors before current members reach the threshold. The extension of independence assessment to directors' related persons creates practical due diligence obligations. Nominating committees must now investigate whether prospective directors' spouses, children or close associates have relationships with the organisation that could compromise independence. Reshaping remuneration and accountability mechanisms Executive remuneration has long been a focal point for shareholders, regulators and the public, serving as a barometer of how well an organisation aligns leadership incentives with sustainable value creation. In this context, strengthening oversight and accountability mechanisms has become a critical part of good governance. From 2026 onwards, remuneration decisions will be shaped by the enhanced accountability mechanisms King V preserves and extends. Boards should engage with shareholders and relevant stakeholders on remuneration. Boards designing executive compensation structures, particularly of companies required by law to appoint a social and ethics committees, should consider periodically submitting, as separate non-binding advisory votes, executive remuneration policies and the statutory remuneration reports. Boards cannot simply implement compensation structures that management prefers or that peer companies use. They must design structures that align demonstrably with long-term value creation and stakeholder interests, and they must be prepared to explain and defend these choices to shareholders. Remuneration committees will need to conduct shareholder consultation before finalising policies, incorporate feedback into design and prepare comprehensive disclosure explaining how remuneration structures incentivise behaviour consistent with organisational strategy and sustainability commitments. The competitive reality of governance quality Governance quality determines whether organisations can navigate complexity, whether they can maintain stakeholder trust, access capital on favourable terms, and attract and retain talent necessary for sustained success. King V matters because it makes these connections explicit through the decision making mechanisms described above. It is about ethical leadership that earns legitimacy rather than merely asserting authority. It is about integrated thinking that recognises the interdependence of economic, social and environmental systems. Organisations that recognise this will approach King V as an opportunity to build superior decision-making capabilities. They will invest in board development to ensure technological and sustainability literacy that enables informed judgment on AI governance, climate risk and social impact, redesign strategic planning processes to incorporate long-term resilience considerations systematically, strengthen stakeholder engagement mechanisms to gather intelligence that improves decision quality, and view disclosure obligations as opportunities to communicate governance quality that attracts capital and builds trust. As 2026 progresses, the competitive gap between organisations that develop these capabilities and those that treat governance as an administrative burden will become increasingly visible and increasingly consequential for long-term success. The decisions that shape organisational futures will be shaped, in turn, by the governance frameworks that define what responsible stewardship means in practice. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’ https://www.bizcommunity.com/article/how-forward-looking-legal-and-governance-frameworks-will-shape-business-decisions-628231a

Terence Creamer | 29 January 2026 Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has Gazetted proposed amendments to the existing Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) codes of good practice in a bid to open the way for the establishment of a new Transformation Fund. The notice has allocated 60 days for public comment on the draft amendments. These especially affect the codes that deal with enterprise and supplier development (ESD), which will serve as the main anchor for the capitalisation of the fund, as well as the equity equivalent investment programme that is available to multinationals. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) has estimated previously that some R20-billion a year could be mobilised over a five-year period to help capitalise the fund; an estimate calculated using an historical analysis of ESD spending by companies monitored by the B-BBEE Commission. To secure enterprise and supplier development credit under the B-BBEE policy, entities must contribute 3% of their net profit after tax to support the development of black suppliers, black industrialists and small firms. The concept of a centralised fund that aggregates such resources has been met with some scepticism, largely owing to concerns that it could be prone to corruption but also over questions as to whether such centralisation would lead to better transformation outcomes. In a statement, the dtic said the fund would provide a policy and programmatic instrument that aimed to “refocus, re-engineer, aggregate and redirect the implementation of the empowerment objectives of B-BBEE to promote inclusive growth”. It added that the objectives of the fund included: the promotion of economic transformation in order to enable meaningful participation of black people in the economy; improving access to funding for black-owned and -controlled enterprises; the empowerment and support of black-owned and -controlled enterprises to participate in value chains across key sectors of the economy; and the mobilisation of financial resources from the private and public sectors using B-BBEE legislation.  “The amendments are intended to create an enabling legislative ecosystem in the development of the aggregation of ESD and equity equivalent contributions, in support of the Transformation Fund,” Tau said. During the 60-day comment period the department said it would host sessions with stakeholders to create awareness and to solicit further input.  ‘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.engineeringnews.co.za/article/draft-amendments-to-b-bbee-codes-open-way-for-transformation-fund-2026-01-29

Jaco Mulder | 28 January 2026 The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) calls on business leaders and investors to take a firm stand against the R100 billion BEE fund proposed by the ANC Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau. The original aim of Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) – to economically empower black South Africans – has not been achieved. Under ANC rule, the system was exploited to enrich a small group of billionaires while the broader public has grown even poorer. Professor William Gumede of Wits University recently confirmed that B-BBEE has mainly promoted elite enrichment, with minimal impact on job creation, skills development and sustainable growth. The policy has deepened inequality rather than alleviating it. Meanwhile, extensive corruption and state capture have siphoned hundreds of billions of rand off the fiscus. Consequently, the economy keeps shrinking, unemployment keeps climbing despite reaching record-high levels, service delivery is collapsing and infrastructure is crumbling. Now that same ANC has announced yet another R100 billion BEE fund, proposing that companies contribute 3% of their net profit to a so-called “transformation fund”. In return, companies would receive double points on their B-BBEE scorecard, providing better access to state and corporate procurement. A board appointed by the Minister will be tasked with managing the fund – a recipe for political interference and corruption. The Department could not even manage the National Lotteries Commission properly, as large-scale maladministration and corruption came to light. The Department is also wholly to blame for the closure of the 51-year-old British American Tobacco factory in Heidelberg at the end of 2026, with the consequent loss of approximately 1 000 jobs. Its inability to curb tobacco smuggling has allowed the underworld to dominate the industry, not only destroying the legitimate market, but also causing losses amounting to billions in excise duty. The Freedom Front Plus is the only political party that has condemned B-BBEE from day one, precisely because it benefits only a small elite. The only thing that will stimulate meaningful economic growth, create job opportunities and truly empower all South Africans is implementing sound free-market policies. The Freedom Front Plus will keep endeavouring to replace failed ANC policy and corruption with a clean, free-market-driven alternative that prioritises the people’s interests. ‘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.vfplus.org.za/media-releases/business-community-should-take-a-firm-stand-against-anc-proposed-r100-billion-bee-fund/

Philippa Larkin | 28 January 2026 SME empowerment organisation Unconventional CA (UCA) has raised concerns that the Transformation Fund offering big black economic empowerment points incentive reflects no meaningful shift from earlier drafts and is unlikely to serve the real needs and requirements of South Africa’s entrepreneurs and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). This is in response to the news that the government is getting ready to move ahead with the revamped fund as soon as next week.  Government in partnership with the private sector seeks to establish a R100 billion aggregated Fund to support the ever-growing funding requirements for businesses owned and managed by black entrepreneurs to propel inclusive growth across various sectors of South Africa’s economy. The Transformation Fund is anticipated to be capitalised at R20 billion per annum over a five-year period. Under the proposal, companies that contribute 3% of their net income to a so-called Transformation Fund will earn double the points currently available for a scorecard that measures businesses' support for greater economic inclusion. Hiten Keshave, the CEO of UCA and an Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) specialist, said in a statement the latest version of the fund does little to address the fundamental questions around impact, accountability, and practical SME development. “There are no material changes to what was first drafted,” said Keshave. “At its core, this remains a proposal to centralise capital, without any clear direction on how those funds will actually translate into sustainable SME growth or meaningful support for entrepreneurs on the ground.” Keshave warns that the proposed governance structure, which places decision-making power in the hands of a minister-appointed board, raises serious concerns for SMMEs, particularly in an environment where public trust in state institutions is already fragile. “Given the lack of confidence many South Africans already have in how state-owned entities and the broader economy are managed, concentrating this level of funding under a self-appointed board is a major red flag,” he says. “For entrepreneurs and small businesses, this raises real concerns about transparency, accountability and whether funding decisions will reflect their realities.” He also questions whether the Transformation Fund is being positioned as a genuine solution to SME development,  or as a mechanism to plug existing funding shortfalls within government itself. “The Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, has acknowledged that African startups receive less than 3% of global venture capital and that her department faces budget constraints when it comes to supporting SMMEs,” says Keshave. “Entrepreneurs are entitled to ask whether this fund is truly designed to empower them — or to subsidise gaps in government’s own funding capacity.” According to Keshave, the proposal further fails to recognise the diversity of the SME sector, treating small businesses as a single category despite vast differences in scale, sector, and maturity. “You cannot generically bucket all businesses into one class,” he says. “SMMEs require targeted capital, mentorship, operational support and access to markets, not a once-off pooled solution designed primarily to simplify compliance.” Keshave adds that meaningful economic transformation and SME-led growth will require far more than what he describes as a policy “quick fix.” “If we are serious about supporting entrepreneurs and building a resilient SME economy, this will take more than a single fund,” he says. “It requires all political parties to put ego and politics aside and collectively rethink what effective, practical transformation should look like.” Unconventional CA believes the proposal should prompt a broader national conversation focused on accountable, decentralised, and development-driven approaches that genuinely serve South Africa’s SMMEs. Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) has previously said questions remain around the fund.  "The obstacles that need to be managed in enterprise development are complex. An estimated 70% of all new businesses fail in South Africa. The reasons for this failure rate include a lack of skills, limited access to markets, and insufficient access to funding. Initiatives that have attempted to address these challenges, including the supplier and enterprise development component of B-BBEE, have had mixed success. While there are good examples where companies have fostered successful black-owned businesses and integrated them into their supply chains, many other companies have failed to gain traction despite significant funding. Access to funds alone is demonstrably not the answer," Busiswe Mavuso, the CEO of BLSA said. "One of the questions that arises from the concept document is how the Fund proposes to improve on aspects related to ESD, over and above funding. The primary constraint on successful small business funding, for example, is the mentorship required to simultaneously develop capacity. Effective mentorship depends on a scarce and stretched skill set. The performance of the NEF and similar funding initiatives has been constrained precisely because of the lack of mentorship capacity in the country. Enterprise development is not easy, and several committed players have devoted significant time and resources to getting it right over many decades,:" she 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://businessreport.co.za/entrepreneurs/2026-01-28-empowerment-organisation-red-flags-r100bn-transformation-fund/

The author or deponent of a Sworn Affidavit must be a duly represented registered Director / Owner / Shareholder / Member etc. of an organisation as per company documentation. Where an organisation has foreign shareholders, the same principle applies. A Sworn Affidavit is invalid if anyone other than duly represented individuals function as a deponent.   Certificate Collection Services   are available to assist with identifying valid and invalid Sworn Affidavits.

For most SETAs, the deadline for submitting Workplace Skills Plans (WSPs) and Annual Training Reports (ATRs) is 30th April 2026. Where organisations must submit these reports to their relevant SETA, they should obtain points under the Skills Development element.   As Skills Development is an identified Priority Element, not submitting an ATR and WSP could trigger the Discounting Principle, which will impact an organisation’s overall score.   The information contained in the WSP and ATR must coincide with the data submitted to an organisation's B-BBEE Rating Agency at the time of their B-BBEE Verification.   Both the WSP and ATR are strategically designed documents that systematically identify any skills gaps, which align with the government's overall Skills Development Strategy. Both intend to track development, plot succession plans, and monitor the overall progress of organisations against set targets.   Technical Services are on hand to assist with the understanding of the above and how it is recognised.

Tiisetso Motsoeneng | 27 January 2026 The government is preparing to launch a revamped Transformation Fund as early as next week, rewriting incentives that have shaped corporate behaviour for more than two decades. A trade, industry & competition ministerial briefing pack, seen by Business Day, shows that companies will be able to earn 30 broad-based BEE (BBBEE) points by contributing 3% of net profit after tax to the fund — double the points currently available for the same outlay under traditional enterprise supplier development (ESD) routes. The 30-point reward is large enough for many companies to move several levels on the broad-based BEE scorecard. For companies in the midrange, a single contribution could lift them into level 3 or higher, improving access to government and corporate procurement without changes to ownership or management. Early unsigned or conditional commitments listed in the briefing pack totalled R13.1bn, led by R10.8bn from Afreximbank and smaller entries of R500m each from the Unemployment Insurance Fund, Industrial Development Corporation and Development Bank of Southern Africa, while Vodacom-Masiv will pump in about R400m. These sums are not far from the fund’s annual mobilisation target of R20bn. “The fund will be capitalised through the aggregation of resources anchored in BBBEE policy provisions, complemented by contributions from mechanisms such as Competition Commission public-interest commitments and other strategic funding partners,” the document reads. Priority sectors The fund will be in a special purpose vehicle incubated by the National Empowerment Fund, targeting a small set of priority sectors — renewable energy, manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics and digital infrastructure — chosen for their ability to deliver jobs and industrial impact. The fund will offer grants, loans, equity and business development support. The document also shows the fund will be governed by a minister-appointed board, supported by a public-private investment committee. The move could simplify compliance and channel more money to black‑owned businesses, offering a fast shortcut to procurement competitiveness without forcing companies to restructure ownership or overhaul management. However, it also concentrates decision‑making in a minister‑appointed board, potentially raising concern that the commercial rigour needed to turn pooled capital into jobs and business will be undermined by directors beholden to ministerial preferences. Simplified compliance route The briefing broadly mirrors the same policy objective as reported by Business Day last year, centralising corporate transformation capital and offering a simple compliance route. But it is likely to disappoint cheerleaders of the initial proposal to launch the department of trade, industry & competition into action last year. Under that proposal, unlisted companies would have been offered an opportunity to pay 3% of gross revenue into a South African Revenue Service-collected pool managed by a private fund of funds in exchange for an automatic level 3 recognition. Corporates prefer the option that offers the clearest, cheapest path to procurement advantage and the least compliance friction, one small business owner briefed on the department’s plans said. Even market leaders with deep pockets find the administrative and operational demands of BBBEE compliance onerous. Major companies and blue-chip firms maintain in-house transformation units — board-level social, ethics and sustainability committees — adjust strategies to scorecard rules and pour millions into advisory and reporting to protect their ratings. For black entrepreneurs, the fund promises scalable, patient capital aimed at townships and regional value chains that conventional enterprise development programmes have failed to reach. Affordable capital shortfall The Gordon Institute of Business Science and the BBBEE Commission’s 2024 study shows that while ESD spend has grown rapidly, actual outcomes, specifically for sustainable and scalable black businesses, have fallen short of expectations. They identified a chronic shortfall of affordable capital as the primary culprit. The department first announced the Transformation Fund as a policy initiative at the beginning of 2025, setting a target to mobilise R100bn over the term of the current administration. It framed the fund as a way to aggregate existing enterprise and supplier development and related commitments to create scale and improve access to finance for black-owned businesses. However, the proposal was met with immediate governance concerns, with Business Unity South Africa signalling its willingness to participate but pushing for clarity on design, governance and implications. The DA derided it as a “looting scheme” and “madness”, saying it repackages old programmes that have failed to make a dent in poverty and unemployment. ‘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.businessday.co.za/economy/2026-01-27-government-readies-revamped-transformation-fund-offering-big-bee-points-incentive/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawPlMClleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeBYye6yVIOBQme-DCHVBCQgqGiO8YiQBgEXyU3cyqJGI5JHCzmS8wm6g4PTY_aem_Nm3M3l5rJTz7bXle2jiOBw

Jens Langenhorst | 26 January 2026 Starlink dominates South African headlines, but pricing and market realities raise questions about who it's really for. South African media has been saturated with Starlink coverage for months. Every ministerial statement, every regulatory development, every parliamentary objection becomes headline news. Yet amid this relentless coverage, a curious question emerges: why Starlink specifically? The regulatory challenges facing Elon Musk’s satellite service aren’t unique. Major global technology companies have long navigated South Africa’s broad-based black economic empowerment frameworks when entering the market. According to Paul Colmer, executive nember at the Wireless Access Providers’ Association, what makes Starlink different is its need for a radio licence, which under the Electronic Communications Act requires 30% equity ownership by historically disadvantaged South Africans. SpaceX’s global policy prohibits local equity dilution, creating an impasse that played out in Government Gazettes , ministerial directives and parliamentary committee objections throughout 2025. In December 2025, communications minister Solly Malatsi issued a policy directive asking Icasa to align its regulations with the ICT BEE sector code, which recognises equity equivalent investment programmes (EEIPs) as an alternative to direct ownership. SpaceX has committed R2.5-billion in local investment, including R500-million to connect 5 000 schools with free internet and equipment. The ball now sits firmly in Icasa’s court – and regulatory processes aren’t resolved by ministerial finger-snapping, regardless of political pressure. But here’s what’s puzzling: OneWeb’s LEO services are already operational in South Africa through partnerships with Paratus, Q-KON Africa and others. Amazon Leo (previously Project Kuiper) is preparing to launch here, too. Yet these services generate minimal public interest. The hype surrounding Starlink has overshadowed a more fundamental question: what is the actual addressable market, and who really needs this service? The affordability question Starlink promises affordable broadband connectivity anywhere at fibre-like speeds. But the word “affordable” requires context. Published pricing in neighbouring Eswatini and Lesotho shows a monthly subscription costs between R900-R950, plus a R3 800 once-off equipment cost (for the Starlink Mini kit). These figures likely indicate what South Africans can expect. Compare this to fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) services, which typically cost around R950/month for uncapped 100Mbit/s connectivity. At its entry level, Starlink is therefore coming in at the higher end of the FTTH market, and pricing only goes up from there, making it comparatively less affordable. According to Icasa’s “State of the ICT Sector” report, South Africa has 2.7 million fixed broadband subscriptions, with 2.47 million being FTTH connections. A household committing to R950 monthly sits firmly in LSM7-10 brackets – those with at least R20 000 monthly income. In the 2023 tax year, 1.3 million people earning over R500 000 annually contributed 75% of all personal income tax. This suggests that between 1.3 million and 2.5 million households can afford premium internet subscriptions – and most already have them, either through FTTH or fixed-wireless services from local wireless internet service providers. The data points to a sobering reality: the addressable market for Starlink broadband services in South Africa will be a fraction of middle-to-high income households. Some may switch providers, others may use it as backup or for mobile connectivity during travel. But these represent incremental additions, not a transformative market opportunity. South Africa has more than 19 million households. In lower LSM bands, innovative companies are already building fiber networks in townships and low-income areas. Fibertime has connected over 250 000 homes with uncapped 100Mbit/s at R5/day, targeting two million homes by 2028. TooMuchWifi serves over 70 communities in the Western Cape, providing uncapped internet to over a million users, also at R5/day. R5 daily equals R150 monthly – nowhere near Starlink territory at current pricing. The real opportunity Where Starlink’s value proposition becomes compelling is in areas where traditional infrastructure remains economically unviable: game farms, forestry stations, remote rural communities, villages and schools. This is where local wireless ISPs have a significant opportunity. Within its proposed equity equivalent obligations, Starlink has committed to providing free connectivity for 5 000 schools. But here’s the crucial detail: Starlink isn’t an infrastructure provider or a wireless ISP. It’s a satellite service delivering connectivity to a location – not a complete solution. This creates an ecosystem opportunity for local wireless ISPs to build infrastructure around these remote Starlink deployments. It’s not a box-drop solution; it’s about creating local- and wide-area networks on farms and at remote schools, establishing proper network management and providing ongoing technical services. The satellite terminal gets connectivity to the site – but someone needs to distribute that connectivity throughout the premises, maintain the equipment, troubleshoot issues and integrate it with existing systems. This is precisely why mobile provider solutions like fixed wireless and fibre haven’t succeeded in these regions. They treat remote deployments as drop-box solutions, delivering connectivity to a point without concerning themselves with last-mile distribution to every classroom, every house on a farm or every building in a village. Starlink will encounter the same limitations unless local connectivity providers are engaged to bridge the gap from the terminal to the actual devices people use. For wireless ISPs, this represents a genuine business opportunity: not competing against Starlink, but complementing it by providing the infrastructure, management and support services that transform satellite connectivity into usable internet access for end users. Market context and competition Starlink reportedly has over seven million subscribers globally, making South Africa an attractive market even if only a fraction of households adopt the service. The demand was proven when over 12 000 “illegal” terminals were sold and activated in South Africa between 2023 and early 2024, demonstrating real appetite despite regulatory uncertainty. Will Starlink serve a purpose? Absolutely. Significant gaps exist in internet coverage across South Africa, particularly outside fibred urban and suburban areas. Is the South African market critical to Starlink? Perhaps less than the hype suggests. By the time political and regulatory processes conclude, other LEO providers – Amazon Leo and China’s Thousand Sails constellation – will be ready to compete. For Starlink, entering before these competitors gain traction matters strategically, but the market itself will be divided among multiple providers. Once LEO broadband satellite services become fully operational in South Africa, they’ll serve a significant portion of the population, though universal access remains unlikely. Given current pricing structures, extending these benefits across all economic segments will require targeted strategies tailored to different income levels – and crucially, local infrastructure partners who can turn satellite connectivity into meaningful internet access for communities that need it most. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://techcentral.co.za/starlink-hype-vs-reality-in-south-africa/276730/