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Incorporating the Continuing Consequence Principle of the Ownership Scorecard allows organisations to score under the Ownership points criteria. It is not a claim against 51% Black Ownership or 30% Black Woman Ownership directly, but a Black Shareholder exiting a shareholding structure. Such a claim is subject to the qualification criteria of a maximum of 40% of the Ownership Weighting Points on offer. Such claims are limited to the term of their shareholding.   Technical Services  are available to assist members with their Ownership claims.

The Socio-Economic Development element requires an Independent Competent Person (ICP) to present an Independent Competent Person’s Report to confirm that the requirements of an organisation’s Socio-Economic Development contributions have been met and that a claim is indeed legitimate.   As per Schedule 1 of the Amended General B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice , a “Competent Person” means a person who has acquired through training, qualification and experience the knowledge and skills necessary for undertaking any task assigned to them under the codes.”   An ICP must have no conflict of interest when nominated to sign off on an organisation’s Socio-Economic Development initiative. Such a person must have sufficient training and experience or knowledge, as well as other qualities that allow them to assist an organisation in the capacity of an ICP. The competence level depends on the initiative's complexity and the requirements of a particular assessment. An ICP must have a duty of care to an organisation’s investors.   Socio-Economic Development Services are available to assist organisations that wish to confirm the competence of an ICP.

When an organisation uses a Trust as a Special Purpose Vehicle for the Ownership element, points are awarded based on the Beneficiaries and not the Trustees. Still, it qualifies for Ownership points based on who the Black Beneficiaries are that hold the Rights of Ownership through the Trust that are in no way limited.   Ownership measurement is on Black People who have Voting Rights, Economic Interest and Net Value which collectively refer to Rights of Ownership. If the Rights of Ownership is limited in any way, a B-BBEE Rating Agency will not award points.    Technical Services  are available can guide organisations in evaluating whether a Trust structure meets the Ownership criteria.

Bax Nodada | 14 September 2025 MP says DA’s empowerment model will focus on need, poverty reduction, and real opportunity – not race or connections. Despite – and because of – the ANC’s three decades in government on their own until last year’s election, South Africa remains a vastly unequal society where there is great wealth alongside poverty. This is clearly unacceptable and deserves the serious attention of the government. But Deputy President Paul Mashatile is wrong: BEE is not working, but it is certainly not the only option on the table, and moving away from BEE would take South Africa forward, not backward. Quite simply, with more effective policies and legislation South Africa would do away with crude race-based classification and produce real empowerment for people who really need it. The DA is working hard to overcome those like Mashatile who are determined to keep the status quo. The DA is workin g on sound policy and legislation that will finally address South Africa’s empowerment problem without damaging the economy and worsening race relations. For the last thirty years, the ANC has attempted to address this problem through BEE policies. The record is clear: Far from empowering those who need it most, BEE has led to a small super-rich elite and very little economic growth, fewer jobs, and worsening hunger. Professor William Gumede’s conservative calculation that just 100 beneficiaries have extracted R1-trillion Rand, should horrify everyone in South Africa. The trouble is that the small super-rich elite which has been created by BEE exists at the expense of the rest of South Africa, and comprises mostly ANC insiders and their cronies. This is why they continue to defend and continue to implement BEE when it has clearly failed to deliver real change in the lives of the most vulnerable citizens. Mashatile and ANC insiders want to continue to shake down local businesses, demanding they hand over a slice of their ownership to those with insider ANC connections. And they do this even if it has disastrous results for jobs and investment, as was the case with Elon Musk, who chose not to bring Starlink to South Africa and subsequently made our country a target of the White House. Collectively the business and investment community has slammed BEE as probably the most serious roadblock to investment into South Africa. They simply will not bring new money into our country while the law demands that they give away ownership of that investment for free, to people who are insiders at the BEE game. The alternative to BEE is not by any conception “no more transformation” or even “less transformation” - but it is “real empowerment for the real people who really need it.” This is empowerment based on need, not on political connections. The DA has built our Economic Justice Policy on the pillars of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which ask the right questions, including: Are we ending poverty? Are we ending hunger? Are we promoting health and well-being? Do we provide inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all? Are we building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and fostering innovation? We must envision a new empowerment model for South Africa where the test is not just race, but whether procurement or economic opportunity is measured by ending poverty, ending hunger, promoting health, improving equitable access to education, and industrialising South Africa with infrastructure and innovation. BEE today determines that a young hardworking entrepreneur, who is not politically savvy, nor socially connected and is economically excluded will get no opportunity or leg-up, while watching empowered connected persons drive past them in flashy multi-million Rand cars, to their latest insider deal. That is not what South Africa needs. Beyond the policy level the DA is working on legislative changes too. We are proposing a Public Procurement Amendment Bill that will change the way the government procures goods and services to end the scourge of BEE fronting, inflated pricing and contracts for cronies. It has been too easy for BEE to turn government procurement into a patronage network for insiders, and our Amendment Bill will stop this. Public Procurement must be turned into a key instrument in the fight against poverty and to create opportunities using an objective, outcome-based system - without racial classification - that gives a real fair shot to that same young hardworking entrepreneur, who is not politically savvy, nor socially connected and is economically excluded. Why should anyone defend a BEE that ensures such a needy South African would never stand a chance? To give every person who works hard to fight their way out of poverty a real shot at empowerment, the DA will soon announce action around the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act of 2003 in its entirety and we will move to change the laws of South Africa which seek to entrench race-based procurement further. This would include a new alternative empowerment scorecard that gives points to those entities that demonstrate that they address poverty and sustainable development, not race-counting the entities attributes. The DA's scorecard will evaluate bids on the bidder's demonstrable contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals and on value for money on a 20/80 split. Imagine a new small business that can now be part of government procurement opportunities, assessed for points on its ability to deliver the alleviation of poverty, job creation, education, health and environmental responsibility to earn meaningful points. This marks a dramatic change away from insiders benefiting over and over, and forever ends the reign of terror of the current BEE scorecard that would have given that same entity 0 points because it would racially bean-count the ownership or management instead of the good it does to society. It’s time to end elite race-based enrichment and ensure that real empowerment occurs. The DA is armed with policies and the legislation that can grow the economy, create jobs, and deliver genuine empowerment for all South Africans. There will be a lot of moaning from the cronies as they try to protect their special interests - they metaphorically spit in the face of our poorest South Africans who desperately want to get ahead but are stuck without work, stuck in poverty, and know that this is the only way forward to overcome their economic exclusion. Issued by Baxolile Nodada, Deputy Chief Whip of the Democratic Alliance, 12 September 2025 ‘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.politicsweb.co.za/politics/da-responds-to-mashatiles-incorrect-position-on-be

ENCA | 15 September 2025 MBOMBELA, MP - A manager from the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related-Services Seta in Mpumalanga has appeared in court. He is accused of demanding gratification from service providers. He was found with R40,000 in cash paid by a provider in Malelane. The matter was reported to the Hawks' Nelspruit-based Serious Corruption Investigation unit to investigate. Head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga Major-General Nico Gerber spoke to eNCA. ‘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.enca.com/news/merseta-regional-manager-found-r40000-cash

Oratile Mashilo | 11 September 2025 Recruitment for the new phase is underway and will conclude in the second quarter. The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) has exceeded two of its three overarching targets, with its latest quarterly report showing significant progress in creating pathways to earning for young South Africans. According to the PYEI Quarterly Progress Report for April to June 2025, more than 5.64 million young people have now registered on the National Pathway Management Network (NPMN), surpassing the initial target of 5 million young people. The initiative has also supported more than 1.91 million young people in accessing temporary earning opportunities, such as work-based placements, work-integrated learning opportunities, and paid service roles. “In this quarter alone, over 234 000 opportunities were accessed by young people through the National Pathway Management Network (NPMN), reflecting the collective efforts of government, private sector, and civil society partners to link young people to meaningful pathways into the labour market,” said Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli. National Youth Service launches new phase It said a major highlight of the quarter was the launch of Phase 4 of the Revitalised National Youth Service (NYS), which will offer 40 000 paid service opportunities to young people nationwide. Implemented by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) under the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, the NYS promotes active citizenship through structured community service opportunities. “To date, the NYS has placed over 84 000 young people in paid service roles, contributing both to community development and individual growth,” the report noted. Recruitment for the new phase is underway and will conclude in the second quarter. Jobs boost fund shows strong results The report also highlighted the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund, a R300 million initiative using a pay-for-performance model to tackle youth unemployment. By the end of June, more than 8 100 young people had been enrolled, reaching 94% of the programme target, while more than 5 400 had been placed in jobs. More than R115 million has been disbursed to 12 implementation partners for verified outcomes. “Jobs Boost was recently selected as one of 10 global recipients of the Outcomes Finance Alliance’s Outcomes Accelerator grant,” the report said, calling it “a pioneering example of outcomes-based financing” that is already exceeding expectations in job retention rates. ‘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.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/pyei-on-fire-234-000-youth-jobs-created-in-three-months/

Bursaries play a critical role in South Africa’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) framework, specifically under the Skills Development element of the scorecard. They represent more than just financial aid, they are a direct investment in shaping the country’s future workforce.   By funding higher education for Black South Africans, companies not only contribute to Transformation but also help close the gap between economic opportunity and educational access. Bursaries empower talented young individuals who may otherwise be excluded due to financial barriers, ensuring that economic growth is both inclusive and sustainable.   Bursary Services are on hand to assist with managing Bursary programmes on behalf of Members.

Bizcommunity | 10 September 2025 Over 600,000 South Africans use South African Sign Language (SASL), and it's one of the country’s official languages. However, Deaf and speech- and hearing-impaired South Africans still struggle to access essential services. This is why collaborations like the one between ER24 and Vodacom are so crucial in ensuring South African communication services are more accessible. The collaboration began in 2017 with the launch of the Vodacom 112 Emergency Services App, linking customers directly to the ER24 Emergency Contact Centre. No one left behind It has since expanded to include the introduction and management of the National Relay Service (NRS) – for those who rely on SASL and other accessible formats to interact with the wider world. As Rajes Govender, contact centre manager at ER24, explains, "Vodacom’s NRS enables seamless communication for those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, making it possible for them to engage fully in society. “The service provides various options, including a video relay service with a SASL interpreter, a voice relay service, and a text relay service for those with speech impairments." People can choose from a range of relay services tailored to their specific needs, including voice relay, text relay, live chat, captioned telephony relay, and video relay – free to registered Vodacom prepaid and contract customers. Specially trained relay officers interpret calls and messages in real time, facilitating clear communication between users and the people or services they are interacting with. Ensuring equal access There are currently eight national relay officers – three are qualified SASL interpreters and five can assist with voice-related queries from Blind and Paraplegic patients. With the option of both video and voice-based services, the broader disabled community can reach out to ER24 when they need emergency medical assistance. "At Vodacom, we believe the NRS is vital in ensuring equal access to everyday services that many take for granted,” says Fay Saib, managing executive of customer operations at Vodacom. “For members of the Deaf community, simple tasks like booking a doctor’s appointment, reserving a table, or even calling for help in an emergency can be overwhelming. “The NRS bridges that gap by bringing these services directly to their phones. As Vodacom, we remain committed to developing inclusive, people-centred digital solutions, and we are proud to partner with ER24 in this important initiative." “This partnership is so much more than a national awareness month,” Govender concludes. “It’s about independence, dignity, and ensuring that no South African is excluded from the care and services they need.” ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.bizcommunity.com/article/how-vodacom-and-er24-are-bridging-the-communication-gap-for-south-africa-deaf-community-732412a

Early payments apply to Supplier Development Beneficiaries only. Clause 3.7 in Statement 400 of the Amended General B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice  outlines the definitions, as well as the only circumstance in which a Large Enterprise can qualify for early payments:   “3.7 Beneficiaries of Supplier Development or Enterprise Development are EMEs, QSEs or Generic Entities which are at least 51% Black Owned or at least 51% Black Women Owned utilizing the flow through principle. However, in terms of Generic Entities, this is based on the provision that at the first instance of receiving assistance from the Measured Entity, it was identified that such suppliers were EMEs or QSEs. This recognition for Generic Entities will only be allowed for 5 years from the first time of receiving assistance from the Measured Entity.”   Enterprise & Supplier Development Services  are available to help members determine how to claim Early Payments.

Brendyn Lotz | 9 September 2025 The Zaka Index reveals that 82 percent of respondents between the ages of 18 and 35 earn less than R6 000 per month. This leads to young people skipping meals, delaying payments, and turning to less-than-ideal loans to make ends meet. All of this has a drastic impact on mental and physical health. The latest Zaka Index, which outlines how young people between the ages of 18 and 35 think about money, is out now. The index is the product of Blackbullion South Africa and Sanlam. The index surveyed 1157 people from across South Africa and hopes to give us all a better idea of the struggles that young people face. The bad news is that the struggle is immense, even for those who don’t form part of the unemployed youth . By far the most concerning finding is that 82 percent of respondents earn less than R6 000 per month. We suspect that some folks are still living at home, but R6 000 is an insignificant amount of money for people to earn, even if you don’t have to pay rent. This low income leads to other problems. Nearly every respondent (80 percent) says they have either skipped meals or delayed important payments due to lack of funds. Half (51 percent) of respondents also report feeling financially stressed every day. That stress takes a massive toll on your mental and physical health, given that 41 percent find food to be the hardest thing to afford consistently. And before the boomers at the back talk nonsense about luxuries, the Zaka Index covers this, with the monthly spend on luxury items averaging out at R283. And do you know what the biggest “luxury” is per this report? Airtime and data. Not streaming or takeaways, airtime. “The cost of financial stress is more than emotional, it affects decision-making, mental health, and the ability to plan ahead, often forcing short-term survival choices over long-term growth. According to the 2024 DebtBusters report, 93% of South Africans said stress negatively affects their home life, 76% said it impacts their work life, and 74% reported a negative impact on their health. In this environment, unexpected expenses can trigger a financial crisis, eroding resilience and reinforcing a cycle where young people are constantly on the back foot,” reads the Zaka Index. The report reveals that an unexpected cost of just R1 000 would cause a crisis among respondents, with many having to resort to loans and other means to make up the cost. Predators in plain view With so little money on the table, there appears to be a habit of youngsters taking out loans to pay for things they can’t afford otherwise. In the report, which you can find here, the index spoke to some respondents, and in every quote, a loan or some form of credit is mentioned. While some form of debt is essential for establishing a credit history, many of the respondents seem to turn to predatory payday or short-term loans, loan sharks, or even gambling. All of these sources of money are easy to find nowadays and can often end up putting youngsters under greater financial strain. For example, a popular, well established short-term loan provider will lend you R1 000 for 30 days, but it will cost you R1 304.86 to pay it back. A person who takes that loan isn’t just R304.86 short, they are short the full amount because they never had the R1 000 available in the first place. Financial education is vital, but it’s often overlooked, and loan providers are aware of this and take advantage of it, within the bounds of the law, of course. “I have invested in schemes a couple of times, thinking they were legit. I have taken loans not thinking of the consequences. I thought I was financially literate until I ended up under debt review at the age of 28 because of family,” one respondent told the Zaka Index. But it’s not solely the responsibility of the youth to be aware of finance. Finance is complicated and, more importantly, boring for most people. “The ZAKA Index shows that young people aren’t careless with money and making impossible trade-offs in a high-cost environment,” says Leana De Beer, CEO of WaFunda (which powers Blackbullion South Africa). “The ask now is to translate these insights into practical, continuous learning and targeted support that builds small buffers, improves decision-making and opens pathways to opportunity.” Investing in the youth now is extremely important, as this is the next generation, and if that generation isn’t financially healthy, we’re in a lot of trouble. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://htxt.co.za/2025/09/can-you-survive-on-a-r6000-salary-82-percent-of-youth-have-to/

Bizcommunity | 8 September 2025 According to Statistics SA’s Q2 2025 labour data, 46.1% of young people aged 15–34 – around 4.9 million individuals – are unemployed. Township communities, long excluded from the formal economy, remain among the hardest hit. Linking learners with township entrepreneurs In partnership with Yes, Takealot Group is sponsoring 75 learners placed with 25 township-based SMMEs, all active Takealot Marketplace sellers. The learners provide administrative and operational support, helping small business owners free up time to focus on growth, while gaining practical work experience and digital skills. “This initiative is about more than numbers – it’s about people, opportunity, and lasting change,” says Tshepo Marumule, Takealot Group’s head of public policy and external affairs. “By integrating young people into the heart of township-based small businesses, we are tackling two of South Africa’s most pressing challenges: youth unemployment and the need to strengthen SMMEs.” Boosting township economies The programme covers SMMEs in Gauteng communities including Soweto, Soshanguve, and Krugersdorp, operating in sectors ranging from fashion and beauty to agriculture and household goods. Businesses report improvements in efficiency, digital engagement, and sales. Lufuno Rasoesoe, MD of Tosh Detergents, says: “Having four Yes learners sponsored by Takealot Group has been a tremendous boost. They’ve brought energy, commitment, and a hunger to learn that has positively influenced our team culture.” For learner Yanga Plaatjie, the experience is equally significant: “I am learning so many skills and gaining knowledge that will help me in the future. I am truly grateful for this opportunity.” Scaling for future impact The pilot has achieved a 95% retention rate, with many sellers eager to retain their learners beyond the programme. Takealot aims to expand the initiative nationwide, with targets set for 2028: Create 20,000 income-generating opportunities through the Takealot Township Economy Initiative (TTEI) Train 6,000 last-mile delivery drivers Onboard 5,000 personal shoppers Onboard 5,000 marketplace sellers The group says its long-term goal is to embed inclusive growth into South Africa’s e-commerce ecosystem by supporting small businesses, creating employment, and expanding digital participation. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.bizcommunity.com/article/takealot-backs-township-entrepreneurs-with-new-learnership-programme-732372a

ITWeb Netcampus | Tebogo Makgatho South Africa is facing a youth unemployment crisis, with 63.9% of young people (ages 15-24) jobless (StatsSA, 2023). While many blame a sluggish economy, the real issue runs deeper – a massive mismatch between the skills young people have and those employers need. The skills gap crisis A 2023 report by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) reveals that over 50% of South African graduates lack the skills demanded by the job market. Employers consistently report shortages in:  Leadership and management (critical for high-level roles)  Digital literacy and AI skills (essential for the 4IR economy)  Problem-solving and communication (needed at all career levels) Why is this happening? 1. Outdated education system Many schools and TVET colleges still teach obsolete curricula, leaving students unprepared for modern jobs. Only 33% of university graduates qualify in high-demand fields like engineering, while humanities graduates struggle with the highest unemployment rates (DHET, 2023). 2. The 4IR skills shortage There are skills that have been identified as scarce skills in the ICT Sector – AI, ML, data science, cloud computing, cyber security, RPA and automation, practical tech application, soft skills, infrastructure and equity, etc. Netcampus focuses on these skills to ensure the beneficiaries are skilled in jobs for the future. Renewable energy, AI and green hydrogen are booming – but SA lacks trained technicians and engineers (SAREM, 2023). Without urgent reskilling, we risk missing out on the jobs of the future. 3. Employers and educators aren’t aligned Only 21% of SETA training programmes match industry needs (DHET, 2023). Many graduates know theory but lack workplace-ready skills like teamwork and adaptability. How do we fix this? Reform education : Schools and universities must prioritise STEM, coding and soft skills (like communication and critical thinking). Legislators need to align more with global technology leaders and OEM through their accredited and certified training providers in the public and private sectors  Strengthen TVET colleges : More industry partnerships (eg, apprenticeships with organisations like SITA and Mimecast).  Upskill the workforce : Government and businesses must invest in short courses for digital and green economy skills. "Technical generalists – especially those fluent in programming languages like Python and familiar with cloud platforms such as Azure, are in high demand across AI and infrastructure teams.” (Business Insider, 2024) At GovTech 2025, we’ll debate cutting-edge systems like the Citizen Super App and blockchain procurement. But none of these matters if we lack skilled professionals to implement them. Proven solutions: The Netcampus model Netcampus is committed to empower learners, making them part of a successful journey to become employed professionals through a learnership programme called the Kagisano Labour Program, in partnership with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). Unlike other skills development service providers that train students and leave them to find employment, Netcampus Group ensures that its learners are placed in employment. The programme is national and thus far, 4 000 learners have been trained through the Kagisano Labour Program, with about 3 000 placed in employment. Netcampus continues to work with various employers to ensure that learners are aligned to employers’ specific workplace needs and skills Netcampus, in partnership with Microsoft, has engaged key stakeholders – including the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) leadership and TVET colleges, Bapedi Kingdom, Botshabelo Digital Hub, provincial governments, Limpopo Connexion and Telkom Foundation – to launch an ambitious initiative to empower 100 000 South Africans with AI knowledge and digital fluency. The programme reached over 104 000 individuals and 50 were awarded the globally recognised AI-900 certification. This milestone marks a significant step in driving digital transformation and future-ready skills across South Africa. The Cybersecurity Youth Development Program is a strategic initiative by the Gauteng Department of e-Government, in partnership with Netcampus, aimed at equipping unemployed youth in Gauteng with critical cyber security skills. This programme addressed the growing need for cyber resilience in government and the broader digital economy. A total of 9 929 candidates were selected and trained on topics that included cyber security fundamentals, ethical hacking, digital forensics and Microsoft AI. The top 50 students proceeded to receive advanced classroom training in modules such as GRC, pen testing and emerging technologies. The Netcampus AI leadership programme has equipped public sector and industry leaders with the strategic understanding required to guide AI adoption, governance and policy development. Over 3 000 delegates have been trained from key partners and customers, namely the National School of Government, Western Cape Provincial Government, Gauteng Provincial Government, Eastern Cape Provincial Government and the National Department of Education. Netcampus partnered with Microsoft, SITA and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) to collaborate in enabling paperless government for key government departments. This project has strengthened technical capabilities in SharePoint for content management, Power Platform for low-code solutions, Teams for communication and OneDrive for secure file sharing and collaboration. Over 66 beneficiaries benefited from this skilling initiative within SITA and DCDT, where end-users and functional consultants received key skills and certifications exams. Netcampus has embarked on learnership and internship programmes for the disabled youth. The internship and learnership programmes are delivered on behalf of Netcampus’s blue-chip corporate clients. A total of 100 learners from KwaZulu-Natal are enrolled in the internship programme and will be trained on Microsoft Security and Microsoft Azure, while 60 learners from Gauteng will be trained on a learnership programme providing various qualifications. Your role in the solution At GovTech 2025, the Netcampus Group will showcase how South African organisations can move “From Classroom to Cloud: Scaling SA’s Tech Talent Pipeline”. The Netcampus Group will share: For employers: How to sponsor high-impact scholarships (ROI case studies). For government: Skills transfer clauses that work in IT contracts. For tech professionals: Two-hour/month mentorship frameworks. The bottom line South Africa’s youth can’t afford to wait. If we don’t act now, the skills gap will keep widening inequality and stunting economic growth. It’s time to bridge the gap, because every young person deserves a fair shot at a decent job. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.itweb.co.za/article/you-cant-build-a-digital-government-without-first-building-digital-talent/dgp45MaBpxkqX9l8