Murray Swart | 21 August 2023 The City’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department (SD&ECD) introduced the youth-focused Rapid Employment and Development Initiative (READI) CT in 2021 with the aim of creating opportunities for young people to improve their skills base and participate in learning programmes so as to have a better chance to be employed. The youth development programme is made possible by the SD&ECD department’s Expanded Public Works Programme and currently has 46 youth ambassadors participating in the programme. The READI CT is a three-year programme that will come to an end in June 2024. The EPWP programme caters for various training opportunities by assisting participants with personal development and exposure to the work environment. The programme also allows participants to gain valuable experience when they are placed at various community-based organisations. Currently, six ambassadors are permanently employed at the City, and one has taken up a student contract. Youth ambassadors are an important example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication. The youth ambassadors have been able to implement grassroots community development initiatives through the new skills that they have acquired through the programme and are able to not only grow themselves as individuals but also the broader communities that they reside in. ‘The development and skills training programme not only strengthens interpersonal skills but also boosts confidence and the ability to communicate effectively,’ said the mayoral committee member for communityservices and health, Patricia Van der Ross. ‘The programme is an investment in the development of the metro’s youth and the ambassadors can now assist other youth to understand how to access the many services provided by the City of Cape Town. I would like to congratulate the participants who are still actively involved in the programme and who have the opportunity to learn, grow and make a success of the opportunities provided.’ ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.capetownetc.com/news/city-youth-to-get-readi/

Cape Business News | 21 August 2023 AGRI SA has submitted its comments on the proposed Water Use Licence Applications, Amendment and Appeals Regulations that were published on 19 May 2023. The draft regulations proposed that certain enterprises applying for water use licences to take or store water would in the future have to allocate shares of up to 75% to black South Africans in order for such water use licences to be granted. Given the legal and food security implications of the regulations, it is essential that they are reviewed and substantially amended. Subsequent to the publication of the draft regulations, on 15 June 2023, Agri SA had a productive meeting with the Department of Water and Sanitation where officials clarified that the new transformation requirements would only apply with respect to the 1.5% of water resources in South Africa which have not already been allocated. The regulations are also not intended to apply to applications for the renewal of existing water use licences, or to the water use licence applications which will arise out of compulsory licensing. Agri SA welcomes this clarification and has included these parameters in our suggested reformulation of the regulations. Notwithstanding this important clarification, Agri SA remains concerned that the draft regulations, as published, are not consistent with the relevant provisions of the National Water Act, the Equality Act, and the Constitution. No provision in the National Water Act empowers the Minister to make regulations prescribing substantive requirements for licence applications or for the determination of licence applications. Even if such a power is inferred, the Act provides that, in issuing a licence, the responsible authority must take into account all relevant factors. This includes a list of 11 factors including efficient and beneficial use of water in the public interest, the socio-economic impact of water use, and investments already made by a water user. The need to redress past racial and gender discrimination is one of these 11 factors. By law, when determining an application for a water licence, the responsible authority must strike a reasonable balance between all the factors. Furthermore, the arbitrary and thus legally impermissible nature of racial quotas has already been established by court judgments. As the draft regulations do not allow for any element of discretion, they are so rigid as to be indistinguishable from a quota, and therefore invalid. A further concern is that the draft regulations reduce transformation to black ownership. Codes of practice issued under the B-BBEE Act utilise a scorecard which consists of five key elements, with ownership being only one. The other four are management control, skills development, enterprise and supplier development, and socio-economic development. These elements should be taken into account by the Department. The inclusion of women as a previously disadvantaged group should also be taken into account. Currently, only racial transformation goals are included in the draft regulations. Agri SA is all too aware of the historical imbalances that prevail in the farming sector today, but the sector must achieve equality within the rule of law. Agri SA has therefore submitted a proposed reformulation of the draft regulations that take the above-mentioned considerations into account. It is essential that the effort to build an inclusive agricultural sector does not undermine the country’s food production. South Africa is a food-secure country and must remain one. Agri SA’s submission makes clear that were the draft regulations passed as published, they would have a potentially catastrophic impact on agriculture and the country’s food security. Agri SA welcomes the engagement of the Department of Water and Sanitation with the sector, and we will work with them to establish a water licencing regulatory framework that respects the Constitution and protects food security in order to avert the lengthy litigation which would result if the regulations were enacted in their current form. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.cbn.co.za/featured/agri-sa-submits-objections-on-racialised-water-use-licence-regulations/

Sibongile Vilakazi | 21 August 2023 South Africa will welcome people from across the globe as host nation of the 15th BRICS Summit. More than 40 heads of state are expected to join the important meeting of nations, the highest number close to a decade since the funeral of our beloved - Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. This is one of the most important and highly anticipated summits of the global calendar for 2023. South Africa, having declined in popularity at Davos, World Economic Forum, and losing competitiveness as player and continental voice of reason in the global geopolitical and economic arena, is certainly poised to recapture the attention of a significant portion of the global community through international media and the BRICS door. After three decades, South Africans have not been able to collectively effect permanent transformation on the structure of our highly concentrated economy, dominated by monopolies. This is compounded by utter disdain for the empowerment of professionals and an extremely conservative financial complex that locks them and the majority out of access of much needed capital, with very limited alternative entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial development pathways. Serious challenges in energy security have come to dominate public imagination, harming international messaging on the South Africa of today. This constrains economic growth and causes irreparable damage to households, businesses and livelihoods of citizens. Alarms have been raised on migration trends of a significant number of disillusioned professionals and youth in search for opportunities abroad and fear of diminishing prospects locally, resulting in a skills exodus and brain drain. South Africa is against the ropes again just as she was in 1993. Back then the global community got involved in a totality of efforts to see us turn the tide. This period is as significant and symbolic in the lead up to national elections in 2024. 1993 led to changes in the way the world viewed South Africa, from site of crime against humanity to Tambo, Mandela and Gynwala’s dream of a sought-after democratic society and destination for international investment, trade, living, working, tourism and meetings of the kind that will be underway this week. Many of this week’s visitors will have been influenced or impacted by this shared history. The nation is yearning for a valid vision behind which to rally to reclaim that position. This requires an inclusive process of meaningful, reflective engagement and involvement wherein professional bodies and the professional class imagineer the material outcomes of this important global gathering, to inspire social innovation and deployment of our most capable socio-economic and entrepreneurial patriots to compete for our desired future as a transformed, just and equitable society. The BRICS meeting gives us a sobering chance to see ourselves as others see us, proving that while in many ways broken, our global standing is not beyond repair. There is greater hope still, despite calls for South Africa to exit the BRICS block, arguing that she is an unworthy member, punching well above her weight. It’s time to sound board with accountability partners and sister nations of the world, so that as in 1994, we may earn their trust into 2024. When we look at the state of our institutions and feel vulnerable, we must use the BRICS gathering as a clarion call to the professional class and for the rupture of a skills revolution for the future of work. A community of member state professionals must employ international standards and competitive best practise in governance, management, leadership and innovation in order to action policy imperatives of the trade bloc. Beyond our energy crisis and despair, the summit must show us great prospects in areas such as the hydrogen economy and our broader integrated resources mix. When we look at lack of access to finance the BRICS bank and its recent performance on bonds in the JSE must show us what is possible. When we look at the structure of our concentrated economy, we must focus better and comprehend the rural and township economies and invite BRICS investment to unlock informal trade and small business development. We must shift our focus to emerging sectors of our economy such as Oceans, Digital, Creative, Green and soaring optimism in automotive and Electronic Vehicles. We must join the effort to realise the vision of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. Faced with sluggish economic growth, high unemployment, crime and corruption, we must use this summit to recommit to a global fight against severe structural inequality. As host nation we are reminded that the global community has not given up on Mandela’s dream. We do have what it takes to be the South Africa we think we are. We must visit Qunu, Dal’iBhunga’s grave-site for atonement and ask for light on the path to the global future BRICS must lead! ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/professionals-must-join-the-brics-summit-to-rally-sa-back-onto-a-path-to-mandelas-dream-11b9656b-bc03-4246-af83-1bed240b74e0

News Desk | 18 August 2023 119 women with disabilities, from rural and semi-rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, will receive learnerships and employment opportunities as part of the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority’s Disability Learnership Programmes. HWSETA today launched two Disability Learnership Programmes at Uvongo Town Hall, in a month when we pay homage to women. The women will undergo 12-month training programmes in either Early Childhood Development or clothing manufacturing to fully equip them to enter the formal economy. 90 women with disabilities will form part of an Early Childhood Development learnership programme, while 29 women and 21 men with disabilities will benefit from a clothing manufacturing learnership. “We’re excited to be able to launch these programmes for some of society’s most marginalised women during Women’s Month. The programmes will see these women, and men, graduate with a national certificate in Early Childhood Development or clothing manufacturing which will open significant doors in the way of employment opportunities as creche teachers, tailors, co-operative members, and business owners,” explains HWSETA’s CEO Elaine Brass. The women participating in the Early Childhood Development learnership programme are from areas such as Umlazi, Inanda and Edumbe. Once they complete the yearlong Early Childhood Development NQF level 4 Learnership Programme they will be qualified as pre-school teachers. HWSETA’s training partner for this programme is the Environment and Language Education Trust (ELET). Director of ELET, Nareshini Ranganthan says: “Conceptualising and delivering programs like these meet the critically important goals of increasing disability awareness, helping to build a culture of inclusivity and creating the spaces for the disabled to realise their full potential.” As part of HWSETA’s other Disability Learnership Programme, 29 women and 21 men from KwaMakhutha and surrounding communities on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast have recently started working towards a national certificate in clothing manufacturing NQF level 1. The programme which is being rolled out by HWSETA’s training partner Future Discovery includes three months of theoretical training, covering topics like business and time management, followed by seven months of workshop-based practical training. Possible employment opportunities that are available after qualifying include creating cooperatives to manufacture school and church uniforms or taking up employment as a seamstress. Brass concludes: “7.5% of people living in South Africa have reported living with a disability. Unfortunately, many people living with disabilities have been excluded from actively participating in the mainstream economy. HWSETA is committed to providing people with disabilities opportunities for learning. It’s our belief that equipping the learners with an accredited qualification and a range of soft skills will enable them to build meaningful careers and provide them with equal opportunities to contribute towards society.” ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://yiba.co.za/more-than-100-women-with-disabilities-receive-learnerships/

Andile Khumalo | 18 August 2023 Reflections on the results of the 2023 Sanlam Gauge Transformation report. Now in its third year, the annual Sanlam Transformation Gauge, presented in partnership with the Sunday Times Business Times, is the only consolidated, sector-focused research report to take a holistic measurement of economic transformation in SA, accounting for all elements of BBBEE. Here, Andile Khumalo, co-founder of the Sanlam Transformation Gauge and CEO of KhumaloCo, reflects on the results of the 2023 report: Having been part of the team that launched and developed the Sanlam Transformation Gauge over the past three years, I have seen just how complex the world of measuring something as sensitive as BEE can be. I always thought I was adequately learned about BBBEE and the issues that dominate the policy, but the more I dug, the more I realised that these are much bigger and inevitably more emotive than I had initially thought. The amount of feedback I have received has mirrored this policy’s importance and its relevance to the prospects of our nation. However, the responses have also shown me that we may be missing a trick here. We may be focusing our attention on the wrong things. We may be spending lots of energy having the wrong debate. The overwhelming response to this year’s Sanlam Transformation Gauge report has centred on the question of whether BBBEE policy should continue to exist. Few topics are as polarising as BBBEE is in SA — everyone has a different opinion on its impact, how it ought to be implemented, and its relevance. Let us consider what the data tells us. Over the past three years, the Sanlam Transformation Gauge report tells us that all BBBEE sector codes, including the generic codes, have failed to meet any of their target elements other than for socioeconomic development. Furthermore, many of these targets do not even reflect the demographics of the country, yet remain unattained. Consider the black ownership targets of 25% or black senior management targets of 60% in a country where black people make up more than 80% of the population, according to figures from Stats SA. More than half of the BBBEE verification agencies that responded to a Sanlam Transformation Gauge survey attributed racism as the main reason behind resistance by corporate SA to appoint black people to management positions. It is possible that this lived experience of a resistance to transformation by captains of industry is what drives many to increasingly call for more stringent punitive measures for companies that fail to meet BBBEE targets, including fines and possibly jail time. Unfortunately, a “more stick, less carrot” approach may not be the magic wand required. Compliance does not always drive impact. Take enterprise and supplier development (ESD), for instance. The prospect of being included in the supply chain of major JSE-listed and multinational corporations has given a glimmer of hope to many small- and medium-sized entrepreneurs. However, these hopes have been dashed by the many companies that still prefer to procure from legacy suppliers. In measuring compliance for ESD, BBBEE points on the generic scorecard are awarded on the basis of the percentage of net profit after tax. In other words, if a company makes a profit of R100m in a year and spends R3m on activities that qualify as ESD, in terms of the relevant sector or generic codes it earns full points on this element. So, compliance is based on an input called spend. There is no need to assess the impact of any of the ESD initiatives to earn full points. This could be the reason companies score the points, but the impact is not felt by the broader target beneficiaries. This is only one element of the five in the generic scorecard. There are equally complex issues with ownership, management control and skills development. I am therefore in agreement with Sanlam chair Elias Masilela, who cautions us not to “throw the baby out with the bath water”. That is exactly what those opposed to economic justice want to see. On the contrary, we need to be sober in our assessment and be guided by empirical evidence and well thought-out solutions that are practical in implementation and impactful in outcome. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.businesslive.co.za/companies/financial-services/2023-08-18-native-bbbee-policy-are-we-focusing-on-the-wrong-things/

Akhona Matshoba | 18 August 2023 American multinational company Amazon Web Services (AWS) has opened its first international skills centre in Cape Town aimed at offering free cloud skills training to young people in the region. According to Amazon, the Cape Town facility is the third of its kind, joining the Seattle and Arlington facilities in the US. For the Western Cape province, the move means critical investment in the local economy. As it stands, AWS Africa has already ploughed R15.6 billion into the region between 2018 and 2022, with plans to invest a further R30 billion until 2029. Premier Alan Winde, in a statement on Thursday, highlights the educational and economic benefits of AWS Africa’s arrival in the country. “We look forward to working with AWS to bring powerful training resources to the residents of South Africa. By investing in our people and their future, we are also investing in South Africa’s future and advancing our stature in the global economy.” “The launch of this world-class skills centre comes at an opportune and crucial time, especially as we move forward to implement our recently launched Growth For Jobs Strategy – our ambitious plan to dramatically scale up and boost economic growth and job creation in the province, which fully embraces and incorporates skills development,” Winde adds. For more on this story visit moneyweb.co.za ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.algoafm.co.za/business/amazon-opens-skills-centre-in-cape-town

Sandile Motha | 16 August 2023 Despite several crises that have rocked South Africa in recent years, it remains a better place to invest in. This is according to an internationally renowned entrepreneur, Dr Brett Lyndall Singh, CEO of AOM Group. Singh was reacting to the recently released statistics that show the country’s unemployment rate has slumped to 32,6%, meaning more people have been employed in the second quarter of 2023. “The results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey indicate that the number of employed persons increased by 154 000 to 16.3-million in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2023,” said statistician-general Risenga Maluleke at the announcement of unemployment figures in Pretoria on Tuesday. Statistics South Africa also noted that the number of unemployed people decreased by 11 000 to 7.9-million during the same quarter. “The discouraged work-seekers decreased by 94 000 in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2023, resulting in a net decrease of 1 000 in the not economically active population,” it said. “The above changes in employment and unemployment resulted in the official unemployment rate decreasing by 0.3% of a percentage point from 32.9% in the first quarter of 2023 to 32.6% in the second quarter of 2023.” Also highlighted by the national statistical agency is that there was a slight improvement in the unemployment rate, which decreased by 0.3 of a percentage point to 42.1% in the second quarter compared to the first quarter of the very same year. According to Singh, the recent statistics show that the country is continuing to do well even though there are a plethora of challenges facing the economy. He commended the country for being constantly resilient even though many things that threatened its investor’s confidence had happened recently. This include the week-long taxi strike Cape Town, the gas explosions that rocked Gauteng July, as well as the torching of trucks. “Yes, there are indeed many negative things happening in the country, but the country still stands in a good position for investments and doing business,” said Singh. “When looking at all these negative developments, we also need to consider the good things that we are doing as a country. “Even when compared with many African countries, South Africa has financial sector policies that are user-friendly to investors. “In some African countries such as Mali and other countries of the same calibre, it’s a hustle to make an investment and easily get your money whenever you need it,” explained Singh, noting that South Africa has many black industrialists, mostly women who play a crucial role in the economy. “Regardless of the negative associations, the majority want to invest [59%] or do business [76%] in South Africa.” ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://sundayworld.co.za/news/business/slumping-unemployment-rate-a-sign-of-resilient-economy/

Xolisile Mbatha | 17 August 2023 Dumi le Roux, EmpowaYouth’s head, said this initiative in the area of Bushbuckridge focuses on five key sectors that play a pivotal role in the economic development of the region in terms of the transportation sector, tourism, entrepreneurship, health and wellness, and agriculture. Young people geared up for the exciting EmpowaYouth Activation Weekend recently hosted by Empowaworx. The initiative aims to empower youth throughout the country by bringing private and public sector entities to where the youth are, to offer them real and relevant opportunities for jobs, learning and entrepreneurial funding. According to Dumi le Roux, head of EmpowaYouth, in each area in which they activate, they take into consideration the district development model to ensure that the content and opportunities they offer are aligned with industries that are set to grow. According to her, this ensures sustainability for the youth, by giving opportunities relevant to the area in which they reside. “We ensure that the youth attending are given information that enables them to make informed decisions about career choices, to find opportunities that match their desires and skill sets. We activate different stages to address different industries. Each stage is carefully curated to ensure content is relevant and impactful.” Le Roux said that in the area of Bushbuckridge, the initiative focuses on five key sectors that play a pivotal role in the economic development of the region. “This will focus on the transportation sector, tourism, entrepreneurship, health and wellness, and agriculture. This is done by demonstrating the diverse potential within the agriculture value chain, from farming to agritech and agripreneurs, and the immense impact on both food security and employment.” Le Roux said EmpowaYouth activates in semi-rural and peri-urban townships, and gives the youth the opportunities not often afforded to them, to become viable contributors to their communities and the economy. “All the content is filmed and livestreamed on our social media pages, as well as packaged and posted on our YouTube channel, so that those who cannot attend in person are still able to benefit from the incredible line-up of speakers that present keynote addresses, masterclasses and panel discussions.” ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://mpumalanganews.co.za/425136/empowayouth-activation-weekend-takes-place-in-mkhuhlu/

Opinion | 16 August 2023 August is Women’s Month, a time to reflect upon and evaluate the progress women in South Africa and BRICS have made over the past 67 years. On August 9, 1956, 20000 South African women representing all communities marched to the apartheid government offices in the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For the past 67 years, August 9 has been commemorated as Women’s Day in South Africa. It marks the day the women of South Africa stood up to the apartheid regime to protest the extension of pass laws to African women. On July 31, 2014, the Women’s Movement in South Africa, in conjunction with government, declared August Women’s Month. This declaration was in response to the ongoing struggles of women in South Africa and in response to the UN’s call on all countries to move towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030. For women in South Africa and the BRICS nations, the SDG 5 speaks to gender equality. The SDG 5 calls upon all nations to: “End all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere; Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation; Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation; Recognise and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and family; Ensure women’s full and effective participation and opportunities for leadership and decision-making; Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights; Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, ownership, property, financial services and inheritance; Enhance the use of enabling technology in ICT to promote women’s empowerment, and finally, Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.” Almost all these sub-goals in SDG 5 were first discussed and encapsulated in the Beijing Platform of Action that emanated from the fourth UN World Conference On Women in September 1995 in China. Women from South Africa, China, India, and from the Global South played an important role in defining the Beijing Platform of Action. Women in South Africa have now decided that this year they will place special emphasis on SDG 5 that calls for women and girls’ social and economic empowerment, contributing to their ability to pursue their right to a healthy life. In 2023 the official theme for celebrating Women’s Month in South Africa is: “Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Improved Resilience.” This theme links South Africa to the international campaign on Generation Equality as part of its efforts to achieve gender equality by 2030 in line with SDG 5. Underpinning this theme is a commitment to stand against a system that controls women as being subservient and passive beings at the mercy of man. As part of SDG 5 this agency is integral to inclusive and sustainable development as economic empowerment contributes to the pursuance of the right to a healthy life. Women and girls’ social and economic empowerment contributes to their ability to pursue their right to a healthy life. In South Africa today there is an awareness that socio-economic empowerment is contingent upon sustainable economic development and empowering women to be an integral part of that process. International Labour Organisation (ILO) data shows that globally women comprise 49.6% of the population, but have fewer opportunities to control their lives and make decisions. In a report on BRICS countries the ILO reports that with respect to women empowerment, challenges remain despite all the group’s members having ratified the 1951 Equal Remuneration Convention. The biggest challenge is not implementing the convention in national legislation, and consequently structural discrimination in employment persists. The BRICS countries need to put in place legal, institutional and government policy frameworks to deal with the roots of the discrimination. Gender equality in education and employment contributes to economic growth and development. The 2022 SDG UN Gender Inequality Index across 129 countries shows that BRICS countries are under-performing against the international average on gender. A recent academic study on the role of women in economic development in BRICS by M K Pandey and I G Sergeeva in 2022 (in the Journal of New Economy, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 43-65. DOI: 10.29141/2658-5081-2022-23-1-3) confirms the under-performance of BRICS countries when it comes to gender disparities. The empirical study by Pandey and Sergeeva used 2000 to 2021 World Bank data to assess women’s empowerment according to the UN Gender Inequality Index with respect to empowerment, health, and labour markets. The study found the BRICS countries lag far behind when it comes to real justice for women’s empowerment. Of the five countries, China and Russia were found to have put the greatest effort into reducing the gender gap between women and men. Brazil is making some effort but still lags behind, while South Africa and India are confronted by deep-seated cultural problems and dynamics that mitigate against structural change. In India women carry the burden of being home makers, producers of goods and services and caregivers. The study found that over the past 40 years China has made progress in almost all areas when it comes to disparities faced by women. The UN recently reported that over the period, China managed to eliminate absolute poverty, especially in rural areas. This investment has led to women’s economic empowerment and equality in general. China embarked upon reforms that promote women and girls in higher education, mainstream employment, better wages and entrepreneurship. Despite 19 years of a post-apartheid government, the study found that women in South Africa are still held back by traditional beliefs about gender roles. Post-apartheid South Africa has given women more opportunities, but this is accompanied by new obstacles. The women’s movement that grew out of the Struggle against apartheid in the 1950s has been consolidated into a powerful new force in the struggle against inequality and economic disparity for women. However, notwithstanding this development, the ILO reported in 2017 that women constituted 51% of the total South African population, and yet their participation in the workforce was only at 44.3%, and at lower levels of employment. The Pandey and Sargeeva study suggests that even in 2021, gender-based discrimination and segregation persisted in the labour market where women work in low paid, poor quality, miserable working conditions, with no access to social protection. Although the government has introduced policies and legislation that are in favour of women, they face the challenge of dealing with the inequality in accessing basic social services in health, education, transport, housing and justice for gender-based violence. To break through the glass ceiling that prevents women from attaining their potential, women in all the BRICS countries need the support and encouragement from the forthcoming BRICS heads of state summit. The summit needs to address the challenges listed in this article if the heads of state wish to promote economic growth and development in BRICS. The Pandey and Sargeeva study make several important recommendations that BRICS should consider. The study recommends work-life integration to improve productivity where working mothers may benefit from workplace flexibility; increasing and enabling access to public and private finance and resources and investment to open markets for women entrepreneurs; promoting internet technology among women to enable women in the workforce to be connected locally and globally; addressing barriers that prevent women from accessing leadership positions by creating opportunities for women; and providing quality education to advance gender equality in the workforce by motivating private and public sector employers to provide education and training for women. If the BRICS Summit takes decisions to promote these recommendations for the women in BRICS, then South African women will feel justified in the country hosting BRICS related activities in South Africa. Josie is an Adjunct Professor at University of Venda. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/opinion/womens-empowerment-should-top-brics-summits-agenda-c99c551a-75fa-456e-80a0-b2b53571baf9

Sinesipho Schrieber | 16 August 2023 About 154,000 jobs were created from April to June 2023 but 7.9-million people remain unemployed. While about 154,000 jobs were added from April to June this year, 7.9-million people remain unemployed in South Africa and many more jobs need to be created to address poverty. This was the sentiment of job seekers and opposition parties as Stats SA released the latest unemployment figures. The statistics indicated a 0.3% drop in unemployment from 32.9% to 32.6% in the first quarter of 2023. Rural provinces continued to dominate unemployment figures, with the Eastern Cape accounting for the largest number of unemployed people at 39.7%, followed by Mpumalanga with 38.4%, the North West 36.8% and the Free State 36.7%. Gauteng was at 34.4%, Limpopo 31.6%, KwaZulu-Natal 31.0%, the Northern Cape 26.9% and the Western Cape 20.9%. GOOD MP Brett Herron said though there was slight improvement in the employment rate, the number of those unemployed was still shocking. The government should consider a R999 basic income grant for the millions of unemployed, he said. “These stubbornly high figures are a stark reminder many South Africans will remain trapped in poverty without any sort of daily income to survive on. “There is no doubt South Africa needs an economy that can generate jobs, but in the meantime it needs a complete overhaul of its social security system, starting with the introduction of measures such as a basic income grant,” Herron said. The death of unemployed mother Bongeka Buso and her children Oratile, Orabile and Anathi, from Butterworth, left many shocked. Daily Dispatch reported it was suspected Buso killed her children and herself because of financial distress. The family’s death highlighted the plight of unemployment. Former acting Tshwane mayor and Transformation Alliance leader Abel Tau said: “We are not satisfied as they don’t even begin to scratch the surface. South Africa is the most unequal country, with most people living below the breadline. It is important for the government to prioritise economic stimulation for job creation.” While opposition parties did not celebrate the small decrease, the ANC did. “These figures provide a reliable basis for evaluating the effectiveness and influence of the ANC’s economic policies. Nevertheless, we are concerned about the decline in the manufacturing sector which experienced a 5.8% decrease due to electricity load-shedding. The ANC remains steadfast in prioritising energy security,” it said. TimesLIVE previously reported Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi said more than 230,000 applications were received for 6,044 posts advertised on the Nasi iSpani recruitment programme. Last month, Lesufi said more than 1.2-million applications were received for 8,000 jobs advertised in the programme. “We received 1,230,092 applications. Of that total, 1,171,035 were received online. Through paper-based and mass centres we received 59,057 applications,” he said. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2023-08-16-thousands-of-jobs-created-but-millions-remain-unemployed-in-poverty/

Chanel George | 16 August 2023 The department said the money recovered effectively went into the pockets of underpaid workers, who are the most vulnerable. The Department of Employment and Labour, through its inspections and enforcement services (IES), has recovered more than R84 million through 152 159 inspections conducted in the last financial year. This was according to a media release issued by the Department of Employment and Labour. The department’s deputy director-general of inspection and enforcement services, Aggy Moiloa’s presentation on the annual analysis report for the financial year of 2022/2023, indicated that the money recovered effectively went into the pockets of underpaid workers, who are the most vulnerable. This report was heard at the department’s executive committee meeting on Monday. Moiloa said employers across South Africa, were tested for compliance by the department on the following legislation: the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), National Minimum Wage Act (NMWA), Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act (UICA), Employment Equity Act (EE), and Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). She said workers who have entered into learnership agreements in accordance with Section 17 of the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act No. 97 of 1998) are eligible for allowances listed in Schedule 2 of the NMW Act. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.citizen.co.za/witness/news/department-of-employment-and-labour-recovers-over-r84-million/

Murray Swart | 16 August 2023 More than a quarter of a million new jobs were created in Cape Town over the last year, with 56 000 added in the last quarter alone. This is according to the latest Quarterly Labour Survey released by StatsSA, which noted a 7% year-on-year drop in the metro’s unemployment rate. This equates to 263 000 new employment opportunities in the city. ‘Cape Town has now had five straight quarters of positive jobs growth, with the lowest unemployment rate of the metros,’ said CoCT Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. ‘This is such encouraging progress and we take great heart from the fact that a quarter of a million more Capetonians have work today than just a year ago.’ Hill-Lewis explained that the improved unemployment rate is evidence of how the Cape Town economy is booming and is now the heart of national economic growth. ‘When we speak about being a City of Hope for all, this is what we mean: getting more people out of poverty and into work. And for five straight quarters, this is exactly what is happening in Cape Town.’ ‘Our city economy is growing faster and adding more jobs, primarily because our government is investing in infrastructure, focusing on beating loadshedding and working to be the easiest place to do business in Africa.’ ‘This attracts new investment, and investment brings new jobs.’ ‘More and more Capetonians are eager to be part of the workforce and have been able to find a place in it.’ He added that, in an effort to enable further job-creating economic growth, the CoCT is forging ahead with plans to end loadshedding over time alongside a record R43 billion infrastructure investment over three years. Importantly, Cape Town’s labour absorption rate (percentage of employed working-age population) has eclipsed the pre-Covid rate, indicating that the city’s labour market has well and truly recovered and is now back to positive growth. James Vos, the mayoral committee member for economic growth, said the City’s investment promotion and skills development programmes have spurred major gains across multiple industries. ‘Our projects have facilitated billions of rands in investments and led to the creation of thousands of jobs. Under the City’s Building Hope Budget, R41 million has been allocated for direct economic incentives to attract more investments and job opportunities to Cape Town.’ ‘We have also built a strong training support system for entrepreneurs, small business owners and employees so that they can gain the skills needed in emerging and high-growth industries such as the green economy, call centres, tourism, and clothing and textile,’ Vos said. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.capetownetc.com/news/new-jobs-in-cape-town/