Manyane Manyane | 11 March 2024 North Gauteng High Court Judge Mandlenkosi Motha. Solidarity has called for the judge to be investigated and removed from the judiciary for diversity and transformation in a black economic scorecards case. TRADE Union Solidarity has called for North Gauteng High Court Judge Mandlenkosi Motha to be investigated and removed from the judiciary. The trade union, through its Solidarity Law Network, has written to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) following Motha's recent request for an explanation from four advocates opposing each other in a case about black economic scorecards and why none of them were black. Motha also asked if that did not amount to a violation of Section 9 of the Constitution, which addressed the need to correct past inequalities, as his concern. This was a matter brought by Periform Work Scaffolding Engineering against the Commissioner of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commission. The matter was heard on January 23 and Motha reserved judgment in the case and ordered the legal teams to submit head of arguments to him regarding the matter. Solidarity Law Network said this was a serious violation of the principles of fairness and impartiality “our” judicial system and constitutional democracy vest on. Network head Riaan Visser said the role of a judge was to let justice prevail and to apply the Constitution impartially, without any prejudice or preference. He said it was clear that Motha exceeded the limits of judicial authority. “This is a judge with a personal agenda which is totally irrelevant to the case serving before him. He acted based on his personal conviction. Moreover, he did so without any of the parties involved in the relevant case having objected about the issue themselves,” said Visser. “This is unheard of and unacceptable,” he said. Visser also added that this was not the first time Motha’s judgment had been influenced by political or racial issues. He said Motha also raised similar views during his interview for appointment as a full-time judge in the Gauteng North High Court, when he campaigned for the “Africanisation of law”. “Solidarity is requesting a thorough inquiry by the JSC and the Judge President to address this injustice and to see to it that something similar does not repeat itself in the future,” Visser said. “By removing Judge Motha from the bench, the independence of our judiciary and the rights of all citizens of our country will be protected from such bias. A strong message is necessary to convince the public that the integrity of the judicial system will indeed be preserved,” Visser said. This came after Advocate Johan Brand, who appeared on behalf of the respondent in the matter, expressed “disappointment, shock and sadness”. Brand, who has been in the field for more than 40 years, said he has never encountered any political remarks by any presiding officer during trials during his years as a prosecutor, even though Magistrates were under the control of the Minister of Justice. He said Magistrates did not let themselves be intimidated by either political circumstances or political pressure. “As an advocate since 1988 and even as a senior advocate, I likewise never experienced a political slant in any judgment that I read nor did I experience a political preconceived notion in a debate or judgment by a Judge or Magistrate. Cases were, rightly or wrongly decided, on merits and merits only,” Brand said. He further said that Motha’s remarks were inappropriate and unbecoming of the office of a Judge. “It has, firstly, got nothing whatsoever to do with the merits of the case. Secondly, the parties have no quarrel with each other about the composition of the legal teams. Thirdly, clients are at liberty to choose whomever they desire to represent them in the court of law. Section 9(2) guarantees that right. “Fourthly, surely an attorney and client privilege exists as far as the choice of counsel is concerned. Fifthly, I could not find nothing in Section 9 or, for that matter, the whole of the Constitution of South Africa, that compels any attorney and/or client to appoint counsel of a certain race, creed, religion or sex,” Brand said. However, the Pan African Bar Association of SA (Pabasa) said Motha’s concern was indicative of his concern for the lack of transformation in the legal profession and it should not be frowned upon. The association further said that this should instead be welcomed as an opportunity to debate this subject. “It is not judicial overreach.” The association said that without independent statistics on briefing patterns in the courts, the public will forever be in the dark regarding factors that go into the appointment of a Judge as suitable for appointment. “It is unfortunate that counsel in the case before Justice Motha flatly refused to comply with the Judge’s directive. This sets an undesirable precedent that legal practitioners can now comply with judicial directives they agree with and refuse to comply with those they do not like,” Pabasa said. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.iol.co.za/sundayindependent/news/solidarity-wants-judge-motha-investigated-and-removed-for-transformation-6036b097-f28e-4798-b314-f8b4cbbdcbc6

Phumlani Majozi | 10 March 2024 Phumlani Majozi says were have now spent a decade mired in 1% annual GDP growth. This week, Statistics South Africa (SA Stats) released the GDP (gross domestic product) numbers for year 2023. I was disappointed, and every concerned citizen should have been disappointed at South Africa's dismal economic growth of year 2023. The country avoided a technical research recession, as the economy grew by 0.1%, quarter-on-quarter, in the last quarter of 2023. The economy had contracted by 0.2% in the third quarter of year 2023. The annual growth rate was 0.6%. Such numbers are testament to our failure as a society, given the unemployment challenges we confront. Isaah Mhlanga, chief economist at Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), has said that South Africa needs at least 4% GDP growth to start reducing the current, sky-high unemployment rates. Some public figures have said that we need at least 5% growth. But then look at the past ten years, you are disappointed, as the economy grew by less than 1% on average. We have the highest unemployment rate in the world, and the mostly affected by unemployment are young people who account for two-thirds of the jobless. The dismal growth over the past year has been attributed to Transnet’s logistical problems, and Eskom’s blackouts. That is correct. However, there are other things that we must put forth that are contributors to South Africa’s dismissal economic growth rates. These are: the regulatory environment problem, the taxes burden problem, labour laws including minimum wage laws, the crime pandemic, educational and skills development problems. Let me elaborate on these more in the following paragraphs. The crime crisis Let’s start with the crime crisis. It's a huge problem that the current government has failed dismally to address. It's a plague that has even harmed the reputation of our country. One of the Bretton Woods Institutions, the World Bank, has said that crime costs South Africa about 10% of its GDP annually. Such a cost is massive and unacceptable. It's an alarming cost given our economic ills. The recent crime statistics were a reminder that the crime problem persists at a terrifying rate. South Africa’s crime is shocking even by global standards. Murder is up and has been going up over the past ten years. In Africa, the most concerning country on homicide rates is South Africa, as highlighted by last year’s United Nation’s Global Study on Homicides. Crime has contributed to the collapse of South Africa's railway system. Crime harm economic productivity and must be addressed urgently. The regulatory environment problem. Our economic productivity takes place in an environment that has burdensome regulations. Look at what has happened at the JSE (Johannesburg Securities Exchange) as many companies have been delisting. The regulatory requirements in the JSE are cumbersome and costly for many businesses. Then the question I ask is, why are these regulations not drastically reduced? That they are not drastically reduced demonstrates that the national leadership lacks rational judgment. Regulations did not put themselves there, they were established by politicians. Hence, they can be reversed or drastically reduced by politicians. The labour laws are also problematic. Things like minimum wages are not helpful in a country that has the highest unemployment rate in the world. Economics 101 is clear on the negative impact of minimum wage laws in the labour market. Milton Friedman highlighted the problem of minimum wage laws very well. Milton once said “The minimum wage destroys the best kind of training programs we’ve ever had: on-the-job training. The main way people have risen in the labour force is by getting unskilled jobs and learning things……. In an attempt to repair the damage that the minimum wage has done to traditional on-the-job training, you now have a whole collection of programs designed to take up the slack.” Minimum wage laws must not exist as they do not make economic sense. They impede job creation and therefore economic productivity. Our real crisis is unemployment, and it needs to be addressed urgently. The taxes burden problem Taxes must be cut! One of the things that boost economic growth is tax cuts, and I am not talking about tax cuts for certain groups of people. I'm talking about tax cuts for all. Tax cuts stimulate the economy. More money must be left in the hands of citizens. Citizens spend their money better than the government. Government’s programs are usually inefficient and often corrupt at taxpayers’ expense. South Africa is amongst the countries with the highest tax burden in the world. Late economist Mike Schussler used to highlight the problem of the high tax burden very well. May he rest in peace. Our tax rates are high even in contrast to several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. As a developing nation, we need to lower our tax rates and have less tax burden to stimulate the economy and create jobs. I've heard people talking about “balancing the budget”. The best way to balance the budget is not to increase taxes, with politicians who play Santa Claus by redistributing taxpayers’ money. Our government is already facing enormous fiscal challenges. The mission of the government must always be to reduce government spending. That is how we must balance the budget or aim to balance the budget. We must cut government spending! The education and skills problem Another problem we face, is the lack of competitive education and skills development programs. We do not have the necessary, needed skills to fuel our economic productivity. The government recognises this reality. According to eNews Channel Africa (eNCA), “New visa regulations have been put in place to attract more skilled workers to the country.” In many cases, there are jobs but the skills that can execute those jobs cannot be found in South Africa’s market. We have a skills shortage problem. What has worsened the situation is porous borders; we have allowed too many illegal immigrants to enter South Africa and that has resulted in an oversupply of unskilled people and has harmed the labour market. Why were illegal immigrants allowed to enter the country? Our focus must be to invest in or improve competitive skills development and education. We must aim to see the results in three to four years. Training and skills development can do wonders and help boost economic growth. What I've outlined above is not everything that impedes growth and needs to be addressed, there must be other things. However, if we can start by addressing the above, we will manage to rapidly improve economic growth. Transnet and Eskom may work better in future, but they are not all that suppresses growth. More than just fixing Transnet and Eskom must be done. More! We can’t keep growing by less than 1%. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.politicsweb.co.za/opinion/addressing-our-nongrowth-problem

Corrie Kruger | 11 March 2024 “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character … we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews, Gentiles, Protestants, and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last!” Dr Martin Luther King jr 1. Promises South Africa’s president also has a dream. President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised 2.5 million job opportunities to the Tintswalos in the next five years. Tintswalo is Ramaphosa’s fictitious born-free girl child who was born on April 27, 1994, who grew up in an ANC government-funded RDP home, received a child grant, went to a no-fee school and free public health care, studied in university/TVET through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and now had a career and her own family. EFF leader Julius Malema also promised jobs: “These jobs are going to come from social housing and roads infrastructure just and we are going to build and create four million jobs.” The DA promised to create two million jobs if elected. The Cambridge definition of a dream is: “a series of events or images that happen in your mind when you are sleeping”. 2. Reality check The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) has its origins in the Growth and Development Summit (GDS) of 2003. At the summit, four themes were adopted, one of which was “More jobs, better jobs, decent work for all”. The GDS agreed that public works programmes “can provide poverty and income relief through temporary work for the unemployed to carry out socially useful activities”. The last decade of job creation has been a dismal failure. The Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, promulgated the following minimum wages in March 2020: farmworkers are entitled to a minimum wage of R18.68 per hour; domestic workers are entitled to a minimum wage of R15.57 per hour; workers employed on an expanded public works programme are entitled to a minimum wage of R11.42 per hour. Fast-forward to 2024 and the position is as follows: farmworkers are entitled to a minimum wage of R27.58 per hour; domestic workers are entitled to a minimum wage of R27.58 per hour; workers employed on an expanded public works programme are entitled to a minimum wage of R15.16 per hour. This dual system is hypocrisy and is not fair labour practice and is in need for reform. Surely the above wage regulations are nothing more than an acknowledgement that a minimum wage restricts the job formation process. If it is good for the government to pay R11.93 per hour, why must the average household pay for a domestic worker be almost double that and the wage is not tax deductible for the employer? How many more domestic workers would be able to find jobs if it were a free-market system and there were tax-deductible expenses as for any other employer? (Currently, there are just over 1.1 million such workers, making up approximately 10% of total formal employment numbers.) What is now happening is that the average household reduces the days that they can offer employment to domestic workers as they are under increasing inflationary pressures. Making the wages tax deductible would make a substantial difference to employment in this sector. The chart below indicates that we have lost 200 000 jobs over the last decade from this important source. 3. South Africa has a population of over 62 million Recently, the president appointed a Minister of Electricity to support the Eskom board and Minister Pravin Gordhan, who holds the reins over all of South Africa’s SOEs. Another area of great concern in our economy is the railways, Prasa and the freight division. They link up with a further problem child, the ports and harbour bottlenecks and inefficiencies. We also have a tsunami on its way regarding our water infrastructure. These are all areas of great concern and in need of government attention. However, there can be no question as to who the most important minister in South Africa – it ought to be Minister Nxesi. He has a long history of serving in leadership roles within the ruling party and the national government. His various positions include the following: general secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) 1990–2009; president of the World Teachers Body 2004–2009; President of Education International 2009–2010; Deputy Minister of Rural Development 2010–2011; Minister of Public Works 2011–2017; Minister of Sport and Recreation 2017–2018. His stronger traits and experience are more in line with the Teachers Union. We recently sent some questions to the minister to which we have not yet had a reply. One such question was: “In addition, I would like to know why you, as Minister of Employment and Labour, do not sit on the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy decision-making board. The MPC consists of up to seven members from the SARB: the governor, the three deputy governors, and selected senior officials appointed by the governor. Inflation is not the only parameter of importance. Jobs are immensely important, and decisions that influence job creation and job reductions are to be represented at this forum.” 5. Getting our priorities right The NSFAS spent R47.3 billion funding the tertiary education of 691 432 students in the 2022 academic year. Of the approved applicants, 462 983 were female and 227 072 were male. There is a further strong bias towards black students, exceeding their representation on the national population register. We must assume that a student with a qualification less than a matric will have a small chance of finding a job, and the jobless rate for this group is a staggering 38.8%, and that is not even at the extended definition of unemployment. The person will most probably earn the minimum wage should he find a job. Such a person starts at R4 500 per month. The person with a tertiary education will have a small chance of not finding a job, being at 8.5%. The majority will find jobs and earn the average wage, and more than R26 000 per month for the rest of their working lives of more than 40 years. Is it right that we plough so much money into one sector of the population and leave the other to fend for themselves? It is time to rethink this policy. It would be fairer to expect students who upon graduation, earn salaries five times higher than the minimum wage to repay at least 50% of their student loans. These funds can go towards a fund as much as the UIF for application for job creation initiatives for the section left behind. A fund that grows by R26bn per annum can go a long way. We do remember the upheaval that accompanied the Fees Must Fall campaign, but so too must we remember the 2021 riots and the underlying reasons that gave rise to that situation. However, we must not move out of fear of retaliation and upheaval, but out of common human decency and moral persuasion. There is a very disturbing statistic, the unemployment rate for people in the age group 15–24 years is as high as 58%. This number leaves no doubt that the situation cannot be left to resolve itself. Immediate and a well-planned and well-funded effort must be implemented. No nation can live with such inequality. It is not someone else’s problem, it is every citizen’s problem to find and answer. If there is no better plan than what business executive Roger Jardine has proposed, then we must implement actionable plans in line with the proposals suggested by him. It is time for those who dream of job creation to wake up and deliver concrete actions. How many government jobs are vacant? The Portfolio Oversight Commission wrote to the Director-General and the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and put the following to them: “The Committee was concerned about the 487 frozen posts as well as 291 vacant positions and wanted to know whether this did not pose any challenge to the work of the department?” We have asked the Director-General as well as the Minister of the DFFE to answer the following questions: Why does the department award so many tenders (more than 34) A) to one company Green Development NPC? B) Why does the department not build capacity within the department for such basic functions, and create meaningful permanent jobs with the money awarded to the tender company? C) Does the Minister of Employment and Job Creation not intervene and give his input and direction in these matters? ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’ https://www.iol.co.za/personal-finance/financial-planning/run-on-numbers-unemployment-rate-in-sa-has-disturbing-stats-d5e6500d-8dae-4a82-892f-45de2be7abac

Lonwabo Keswa | 12 March 2024 Women in SA are well positioned to become the nation’s solution to major concerns by using the power of technology. In light of this year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’, ALX urges SA’s rapidly growing technology sector to take shared responsibility for closing the digital gender gap or risk losing a generation of talented young women in the fourth industrial revolution. According to recent research by IT Web, women account for only 23% of technology employment positions in SA or slightly less than a quarter of information and communication technology (ICT) roles. However, women are well positioned to innovate and lead society towards greater services and economic possibilities because they are the heads of most households and the backbone of the communities in which they live. With the appropriate combination of digital skills, support, and training, women can reach their full potential and become changemakers at the grassroots and boardroom levels. Organisations should reflect the society in which they operate. Africa loses half of its socioeconomic potential without women at the forefront of programmes promoting change and innovation. According to the Commission for Employment Equity’s (CEE) 23rd Employment Equity Report for the financial year 2022/2023, the number of women employed in the ICT sector has increased marginally in recent years. The proportion of women employed in this sector increased from 39.5% in 2021 to roughly 41.3% in 2023. Technology injustice: Bridging the gender gap in digital opportunities. While there was progress in meeting the demand for digital talent in growing economies across the continent, there is still an urgent need to overcome the gender gap and capitalise on women’s latent potential in the technology sector. SA has one of the world’s highest unemployment rates despite a growing pool of graduates, many of whom lack the skills required to enter the labour market in high-demand areas. Despite their determination to participate in their own social and economic growth, young SA women are unprepared to address the social and economic issues disproportionately affecting them because of a lack of digital skills and access to infrastructure. According to a 2023 InformaTech global survey, a lack of expertise is the most significant barrier to entering Africa’s IT business. In addition, 21% of women in technology work several jobs to make ends meet. ALX is committed to meaningful, effective change in Africa’s digital skills revolution. ALX aims to develop two million ethical and entrepreneurial leaders from Africa by 2030. It aspires to accomplish this with a specific emphasis on assisting women to participate and lead in creating their communities and the world in the digital age. ALX, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, has created a new six-week, totally online AI Career Essentials (AiCE) curriculum to assist millions of SA women in launching and advancing their careers. The sponsored programme integrates technical knowledge, professional skills, and AI tools training into a single programme to give young female talent an unparalleled opportunity to receive professional AI skills training to advance their careers. ALX has trained over 97 000 work-ready digital leaders and is expanding its learner community, with over 100 000 enrolled in the first two months of 2024. Women need respectable and meaningful employment chances, not simply a foot in the door. They have the potential to empower a new breed of flexible digital leaders designed for the 21st century. Together, we can unlock women’s potential as innovators, leaders, changemakers, and problem solvers who address today’s global problems while recognising women as tomorrow’s changemakers. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.citizen.co.za/alberton-record/news-headlines/local-news/2024/03/12/empowering-women-supports-economic-growth/

Sakeliga | 12 March 2025 Sakeliga has advised financial service providers 'to carefully weigh up providing the FSCA with transformation plans'. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), which regulates all financial services providers, is preparing to demand transformation plans from participants, and could ultimately withhold licences from those who do not comply with specific black economic empowerment (BEE) thresholds. The FSCA announced a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s B-BBEE Commission last week which, while rather short on detail, does warn that the commission “has been concerned about the unacceptable level of submission of B-BBEE compliance reports by the Financial Sector”. The FSCA’s ambit is broad and covers not only insurers, collective investment schemes, and retirement funds, but brokers, financial planners and wealth managers too – all these entities require licences to operate. Under current legislation, there are no real penalties for non-compliance with government’s transformation objectives. CoFI is coming Once the Conduct of Financial Institutions (CoFI) Act is implemented, however, the FSCA sees itself empowered to “set standards in relation to transformation and allowing it to exercise reasonable supervisory and enforcement measures against financial institutions that do not uphold commitments to transformation”. The act is the second leg of government’s Twin Peaks reform and is currently before parliament. Ahead of its implementation, the FSCA has begun preparing internally across its licensing, supervisory, and investigations and enforcement divisions. In this phase, it is concluding memoranda of understanding with other relevant entities and has commenced with data collection on ownership of licensed entities in preparation for enforcement. It says financial institutions “will be required to have transformation plans in place and submit these plans to the FSCA at licensing stage … Already licensed institutions will be required to submit a plan as part of the COFI Bill framework licensing conversion process within the relevant transitional period”. The FSCA adds that “non-submission of a transformation plan during the licensing process may result in a licence application being considered incomplete”. "This is a carefully veiled threat and it is reasonable to assume that an incomplete application will likely mean that a licence will be withheld." In its Transformation Strategy, published last year, the FSCA says one of its key strengths “in supporting the transformation of the financial sector is its ability to take enforcement action against financial institutions”. “This contrasts with other stakeholders such as the FSTC [Financial Sector Transformation Council], which is not able to sanction institutions, and even the B-BBEE Commission, whose administrative actions are limited to instances of fraud or misrepresentation. The FSCA will ultimately be able to act against financial institutions that do not adhere to commitments made in terms of their transformation plans.” FSCA directives The FSCA says it could issue directives for non-compliance with an enforceable undertaking or administrative penalties for non-compliance if financial institutions fail to meet the targets identified in their transformation plans. It says its mandate remains the enforcement of “financial sector laws only, and not the B-BBEE Act or the FS [Financial Sector] Code, which are the responsibility of the B-BBEE Commission and FSTC respectively”. The FSCA says it will “apply a proportionate approach to transformation requirements”. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.citizen.co.za/business/fsca-transformation-strategy-strict-compliance-bee-standards/

Ziyanda Sibeko | 12 March 2024 The agricultural sector is the backbone of the South African economy and plays a vital role in food security , job creation, and overall economic growth. However, this sector faces a constant challenge – ensuring it has a skilled workforce equipped to handle the complexities of modern agriculture. The Need for Skilled Labour: A Changing Landscape Gone are the days of traditional farming solely relying on inherited knowledge. Modern agriculture is a technologically advanced and data-driven industry. Precision agriculture, utilising tools like sensors and drones, allows for more efficient use of resources and improved crop yields. Automation and robotics are increasingly playing a role in farm operations, requiring workers with expertise in machinery operation and maintenance. Additionally, concerns around sustainability and environmental impact necessitate a workforce that understands best practices for soil conservation, water management, and responsible use of agrochemicals. This shift necessitates a skilled workforce capable of adapting to these advancements. Filling this gap requires comprehensive skills development programmes in collaboration with organisations like Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), particularly the AgriSETA. This industry-led organisation acts as a bridge between government, industry stakeholders and educational institutions. It focuses on ensuring high-quality training by accrediting providers, directly investing in the future workforce through funding learnerships, bursaries and internships, and collaborating with universities, training providers, and government agencies to develop and implement effective training programmes. Educational institutions, both public and private, play a critical role in equipping future generations with the necessary agricultural skills. Universities could offer degree programmes in agricultural science, agribusiness management, and related fields. Additionally, vocational schools and training centres could provide more targeted training programmes in specific areas like horticulture, precision agriculture, or animal husbandry. Upskilling the existing workforce is equally important. Adult education and training programmes could provide existing farmers and agricultural workers with the opportunity to learn new skills, stay up to date on technological advancements, and adapt to changing industry demands. Challenges and Opportunities: A Look Ahead Despite the growing focus on skills development, the agricultural sector faces hurdles. Limited funding for training programs necessitates creative solutions to secure resources. Additionally, bridging the gap between what's taught in schools and the realities of the industry is crucial to ensure graduates are well-equipped. Finally, attracting and retaining young talent requires making agriculture a more appealing career path, ensuring the sector's long-term sustainability. However, along with challenges come exciting opportunities. Technological advancements could revolutionise skills development, offering online learning platforms and engaging training simulations. Additionally, increased awareness about the importance of sustainability in agriculture can attract young people with a passion for environmental responsibility. Building a Collaborative Future To build a future-proof agricultural workforce, a collaborative effort is essential. The government could pave the way with policies that encourage skills development, while industry stakeholders could bridge the gap between education and employment by working with universities and training providers to design relevant programmes and offer internship opportunities. Educational institutions, in turn, need to offer flexible and industry-aligned programmes that cater not only to young people entering the field but also to existing workers seeking to upskill. Finally, farmers themselves play a crucial role by investing in the skills development of their existing workforce and participating in mentorship programmes to cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders. By prioritising skills development, the agricultural sector can build a more skilled, innovative, and adaptable workforce. This, in turn, will lead to increased productivity, improved food security, and sustainable growth for the entire industry. Skills development is the cornerstone of a thriving agricultural sector. By investing in training programmes, fostering collaboration between stakeholders, and embra cing innovative learning methodologies, the agricultural sector can cultivate a future filled with growth and prosperity. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.polity.org.za/article/skills-development-and-growth-for-the-agricultural-sector-2024-03-12

SA News | 17 March 2024 National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Deputy Chairperson Sylvia Lucas has told delegates at the 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) that advancing gender transformation necessitates parliaments to regularly assess prevailing gender norms in communities.  This, she stated, will ensure that policy interventions are targeted for each community to improve the efficiency of policies. Lucas addressed the second session of the gathering on the theme, 'Gender-sensitive Institutions to Break the Poverty Cycle'. In her address, she said parliaments’ capacity to craft gender responsive law-making and policy interventions is a critical area that needs attention.  Parliaments should also continue to build women’s capacity to advocate for gender-responsive oversight and law-making processes across important sectors like development and transformation. The Deputy Chairperson is accompanying National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to the CSW68, which is organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and United Nations (UN) Women. It is taking place in New York until 22 March. Lucas said parliaments have a critical role to play in reducing poverty through gender transformation by enacting laws that are gender-responsive and which are framed with dexterity to disrupt gender-regressive norms and behaviors across society at large. “In working towards achieving gender transformation, we must continue to be guided by existing international and national protocols and legal frameworks, including prescribed norms of gender transformation, which can be used to strategically shape policy-making and promote gender equality,” she said. Lucas told the session that South Africa has recently adopted the 2021 Women’s Charter for Accelerated Development. This charter is based on international best practice and mandated by South African women. It outlines critical areas for parliamentary intervention in policy, legislation and programming. The charter’s goal is to meaningfully advance gender transformation and reduce poverty. “To this end, critical policy areas highlighted through our Women’s Charter Review process include the recommendation for the amendment of budget policies, money bills, fiscal policies and tax laws, including macroeconomic policies, which we view as critical areas for sustained and high-level analysis and amendment.  “If amended to make them more gender-responsive in their shape, form and content, these policies and legislative instruments will serve as enabling instruments to achieve poverty reduction and gender transformation objectives,” Lucas said. Lucas said some of the capacities and resources parliaments should continue to invest in include gender-responsive budget analysis capabilities and law-making, gender-responsive oversight and oversight agenda-setting, and increasing capacity to use gender-disaggregated data to shape budget decisions and commitments. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/spotlight-women-empowerment-csw68

Citizen | 16 March 2024 A competition for businesses in an effort to encourage the spirit of entrepreurship among the people of eThekwini. The municipality invites local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), as well as co-operatives, to apply for the 2024 Lions Den Business Plan Competition before the closing date of April 5. ETHEKWINI Municipality has announced a competition for businesses in an effort to encourage the spirit of entrepreurship among the people of eThekwini. The municipality invites local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), as well as co-operatives, to apply for the 2024 Lions Den Business Plan Competition before the closing date of April 5. The competition aims to stimulate good business ideas and encourage sustainable entrepreneurship, innovation and competitiveness amongst entrepreneurs. Participants stand the chance to benefit from exciting business development prizes. The competition will run in three categories as follows: emerging business with viable business ideas – will accept businesses with a turnover of less than R100 000 per annum established business in need of venture expansion – requires businesses with turnover of more R100 000 and below R500 000 per annum businesses that have demonstrated entrepreneurship excellence – this category is for businesses with a turnover of more than R500 000 per annum that have demonstrated exceptional business practice. How to enter:  eThekwini mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda said the Lions Den Programme was established to drive the economic transformation agenda. “This programme is yielding great results. When we look back over the years, there are several successful companies that are products of the Lions Den who have gone on to create long-term sustainable jobs. We now invite more SMMEs to partake in this year’s programme. ” Application forms are also available at the following sites: Business Support, Tourism, Markets and Agri-Business Unit, 7th Floor Embassy Building, 199 Anton Lembede Street, or at the security desk on the ground floor entrance.  All Sizakala Centres Small Enterprise Development Agency, eThekwini branch, 127 Johannes Nkosi Street. The form is accessible at www.durban.gov.za. Click on the Government tab, followed by Document and browse on Public Notices. Previous winners of the competition alluded to the competition as helping grow their businesses. Lungani Nene, founder of Spot-on Fire Controls, won under the Entrepreneurship Excellence category last year. He walked away with equipment worth R40 000 which he said was a gamechanger for his business. “Winning the award and the publicity we received through the municipality resulted in my company securing business worth R800 000 in a short space of time. The business is growing from strength to strength, and I would encourage other businesses to enter the competition,” said Nene. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.citizen.co.za/berea-mail/news-headlines/2024/03/16/city-launches-business-competition/

Lungile Msomi | 15 March 2024 Over the past five years, the Public Service has recruited 122 398 interns, and 12 098 of them secured permanent employment, while 1 594 were contracted after their internships, said Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Ms. Noxolo Kiviet, in an oral reply to a parliamentary question on March 13, 2024. The data that the Minister shared in her comprehensive reply to the parliamentary question covered the internship opportunities created by national and provincial departments. Over the past five years, national departments have hired over 31,000 interns, with just over 10,000 finding employment afterwards. The Eastern Cape Province recruited the biggest number of interns, at 19,791, while the Northern Cape Province had the least number of recruits over the five years, according to the data, “To mainstream youth employment, the draft Directive on Developmental programmes urges departments to set aside 10% of their vacancy rate for the appointment of youth. Furthermore, the DPSA, in partnership with PSETA (Public Service Education and Training Authority), plans to undertake a track and trace research study to explore the impact and effectiveness of the internship programme,” Minister Kiviet explained. During the parliamentary oral reply, the Minister also addressed a question on removing the requirement for experience in the recruitment for entry-level positions in the Public Service, as per the Directive on Human Resources Management and Development for Public Service Professionalisation. She assured parliament that the provisions of the Directive are closely monitored by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). “To this end, the Department verifies job listings before their inclusion in the Public Service Vacancy Circular, ensuring they conform to the Directive’s stipulations. Furthermore, the Department has partnered with the Auditor General of South Africa to monitor the implementation of these norms and standards, ensuring rigorous enforcement and adherence,” she reported. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.dpsa.gov.za/thepublicservant/2024/03/15/over-12000-interns-have-been-absorbed-into-the-public-service-over-the-past-five-years-says-minister-kiviet/

Bongani Mdakane | 18th March 2024 In its quest to contribute to skills development and economic empowerment in the construction industry, the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) has set aside more than R600-million to fund a wide array of skills development and training initiatives in the sector. Malusi Shezi, the CETA CEO, made the announcement at a stakeholder engagement meeting in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Wednesday. The meeting was also attended by key stakeholders such as Black Business Council, the Construction Industry Development Board, training providers, government officials among others. CETA stated that the substantial investment is set to benefit close to 4 000 people in the industry across the country. CETA chairperson Thabo Masombuka said: “With these initiatives, we aim to address the aspirations of the State of the Nation Address as set out by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to assist in alleviating unemployment, stimulate skills for the economy and job creation opportunities for young people in those communities where there are limited economic activities.” The entity has divided the investment into two parts, where R234-million will be allocated for training, while R172-million will be for the construction of training centres across the land. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://sundayworld.co.za/business/ceta-allocates-r600m-skills-fund/

Simangazo Mokale | 21 March 2024 Women are an integral part of communities and they are the foundation of society, therefore investing in them to accelerate progress is vital. Just 30 years ago most women in South Africa were denied the right to vote and work. Many of the basic rights that we now take for granted were also denied to the majority of the people of this country. Many of the challenges faced by women prior to our democratic change in 1994, continue to impact women around the world today. Vast numbers of women have no voice or just simply continue to suffer in silence. Our own journey has taught us that the voices of women are powerful and can never be silenced. As women it remains our responsibility to continue to write new chapters in our history, and to challenge outdated views and to smash glass ceilings. Since 1994, women have assumed leadership roles in all sectors of society, but more work still remains in closing the gender gap and ensuring women take their rightful place in all sectors of society. The recently concluded annual celebration of International Women’s Day was a reminder of the many milestones women have achieved over the years. It was an affirmation of the power of women of both yesteryear and today. In the past three decades women have made strides across society, because of the many brave women who came before us and changed the narrative of what a woman’s role should be. While more women today have access to opportunities across the spectrum, there are still many challenges that continue to hold them back. According to a UN Sustainable Development Goals study, it will take 140 years for women to be represented equally in positions of power and leadership in the workplace. Even in our country, which has made remarkable strides since 1994 there are still marked imbalances and men continue to dominate the labour market, especially at management levels. Therefore, government continues to work to level the playing field and we have created a number of progressive laws that are dedicated to the development of women in our country. These include laws dedicated to gender equality, which seek to eliminate discrimination in employment, training and recruitment based on gender.  We also have the Employment Equity Act which enjoins employers to work towards more equitable representation based on gender, race and disability. These instruments have helped to ensure greater gender representation but on their own they are not enough. It is up to all in society to ensure that we create the right conditions for equal participation in the economy. As we prepare to commemorate 30 Years of Freedom it is incumbent on everyone to do more to ensure women are empowered so we can grow our economy. Let this be the year where we partner together and find ways to harness the potential of women to drive the economy and to ensure more inclusive and sustainable development. Just as women in the past took the lead in shaping their destiny; we need women today to be at the forefront of reshaping societal norms. By doing so we can begin to give life to the call by UN women to create transformative solutions that enable women to realise their rights, escape the cycle of poverty, and truly thrive. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.gcis.gov.za/30-years-freedom-valuing-role-women-society-and-workplace

Wolfgang Neff | 20 March 2024 In this article, Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO) CEO Wolfgang Neff writes that the Public Procurement Bill, currently before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), could have negative consequences, especially for the country's construction sector. The Public Procurement Bill is making its way through the NCOP after having been passed by the National Assembly in December last year. In the past weeks, we have seen provincial public hearings on the Public Procurement Bill, as well as public hearings before the Select Committee on Finance in Parliament. This is a consequential Bill with far-reaching implications. It aims, among other things, to regulate public procurement and to prescribe a framework within which preferential procurement must be implemented going forward. Public procurement makes up a substantial part of the government's entire annual spend. The Public Procurement Bill, once enacted, will in effect regulate how almost a trillion rand will be spent annually by government, amounting to just over one-fifth of South Africa's gross domestic product. Industry associations such as the Public Procurement Working Group (which includes the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and Corruption Watch), Consulting Engineers South Africa as well as Master Builders South Africa have expressed concern about the Bill. Many other stakeholders, including various civil society organisations, have made submissions and voiced their deep unease about the current Gazetted version of the Public Procurement Bill. Outside of the formal public hearings process, it is therefore surprising that the Public Procurement Bill has not received more mainstream media attention. Two main goals of the Public Procurement Bill are inarguably well-intentioned: fighting corruption in State spending is essential, as is the need for a structured approach in ensuring sustainable transformation and empowerment in the economy. But, unfortunately, the manner in which the Public Procurement Bill seeks to achieve these two goals is deeply flawed and would have contrary, unintended consequences to the detriment of the taxpayers, citizens and sustainable transformation as a whole. As has been reported in the media, the South African National Roads Agency intends having R28-billion worth of tenders in the market by the end of March. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has indicated government’s intention to prioritise infrastructure spending, with plans to invest more than R943-billion in public infrastructure, supporting the repair and maintenance of existing assets and the construction of new infrastructure. The construction sector is a prime example of the transformational power State spending can have while serving as a key driver of economic growth. In large part due to already existing preferential procurement and broad-based black economic empowerment measures, the construction sector has been steadily transforming for years. The construction sector has a remarkable transformation story to tell. In the case of WBHO, it continues to be a priority for us to make sure that, as one of the country’s largest construction companies, we reflect and are representative of the country we build in and for. To achieve these goals WBHO’s broad-based employee share schemes and trusts adhere to the scorecard elements in the 2017 Amended Construction Codes. WBHO’s own preferential procurement spend, which focuses on contractual spend on black suppliers and subcontractors, was R7.2-billion in the last financial year alone. WBHO, having witnessed the practical benefits that have accrued to black suppliers and subcontractors through preferential procurement as a transformational tool, wishes to see it deployed in a manner that is fair, equitable, transparent, cost-effective and competitive. What is of particular concern is that the current version of the Public Procurement Bill appears not to incorporate valuable stakeholder input on important provisions such as the undue and unchecked power it grants to the Minister of Finance, the fact that it will impede municipalities, provinces and public entities from determining their own procurement criteria, the sufficiency of the Public Procurement Bill’s consultation process, and whether the extent of the material amendments to the current version of the Bill do not warrant the National Assembly reviewing it before final approval. It is the general consensus that the current version before the NCOP, if enacted into law, will unfortunately only invite legal challenges. Well-considered and supported procurement legislation can make a massive contribution to economic growth and transformation. Such legislation should aim to promote economic growth and job creation in a way that empowers individuals and communities, as well as continuing to support and bolster the strides that have been made in transforming sectors such as the construction industry. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/opinion-procurement-laws-are-a-transformational-tool-that-must-be-used-correctly-2024-03-20