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The rule of thumb in claiming Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) points is to follow the money directly to the end Beneficiary. Therefore, incorporating a third party between an organisation and a Beneficiary will not warrant a claim. The valid B-BBEE credentials of the end Beneficiary will be needed in order to validate the claim as well as confirmation from the end Beneficiary that the benefit has flowed to them.   Technical Compliance Services  are available to advise how members in relation to Third Party interventions.

Staff Writer | 22 September 2025 Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) is the next business interest group to take on the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) over its sectoral employment equity targets. The targets came into effect from 1 September 2025, requiring all businesses in South Africa, employing more than 50 people, to work out a five-year plan to make their workforces demographically representative. The targets prescribe a set percentage of representation in the workforce, requiring businesses to restructure accordingly. The department set out specific numerical targets across 18 industries in South Africa that businesses must fill with ‘designated employees’. These designated groups include black (African, Coloured and Indian), female and disabled workers. For example, after five years, businesses in the accommodation and food service sector should have 56.7% of top management be from these ‘designated groups’—38.1% of which should be female. The same industry should have 78.3% of senior management reflect these groups. 84.7% of professional and middle-management positions and 95.9% of skilled technical employees should also reflect individuals from designated groups. The targets were announced in April 2025 and have already been challenged legally by business lobby Sakeliga and the National Employers Association of South Africa (Neasa). While the groups have failed in their first court bid to stop the targets from being implemented, they are now trying to get the matter directly to the Constitutional Court. BUSA’s legal challenge will now add to the pile of legal proceedings. However, unlike Sakeliga and Neasa, BUSA does not oppose the Employment Equity Act or the targets in principle, but is homing in on the DEL’s implementation. Specifically, the group said it has been forced to go the legal route to challenge the targets because the department’s consultations with stakeholders ended up being performative, ignoring glaring issues raised. “In BUSA’s view, the current sector targets are fatally flawed both substantively and procedurally. If allowed to stand, they risk undermining the very goal of an inclusive, transformed economy,” it said. Performative consultation with business The group said it had tried to engage with the department in good faith, but what was supposed to be a meaningful consultation ended up as a “presentation” and “performative engagement”. It said it raised several issues with the targets and the laws, which were simply left unresolved by the department. These included: Limited consultation time: Employers were given less than a week to respond; most received draft targets the night before meetings, which lasted only an hour. Insufficient information on methodology: The DEL has failed to provide sufficient explanation for how it calculated the targets or the demographic assumptions used. For example, the EE disability target was raised to 3% without DEL providing sufficient supporting data or adequately explaining how this figure was reached, despite acknowledging the lack of disability statistics. Insufficient sectoral analysis: Limited assessment conducted to determine whether targets were achievable across industry-specific realities. Conflicting compliance frameworks: The targets are not aligned with B-BBEE sector codes, creating regulatory confusion. One-size-fits-all targets: DEL’s refusal to differentiate among subsectors ignores operational, geographic, and structural diversity. “Poorly developed targets risk damaging vital sectors of the economy. If targets are unrealistic or not based on the skills available in each sector, companies may find themselves unable to comply,” BUSA said. “This creates uncertainty and weakens the integrity of the regulatory process, ultimately undermining the transformation and inclusion that the Employment Equity Act is meant to achieve.” The business group stressed that it was not trying to undermine the EEA or to work against sectoral transformation. It added that it continues to work with the government to address these issues. However, it said that rushed, opaque, and procedurally irregular processes not only fail the test of legality but also work against transformation by making compliance impractical and unenforceable. “The need for transformation is urgent, but urgency must not become recklessness,” it said. “We’re acting now to protect the credibility of equity policy. Unworkable targets do not advance transformation. They deepen frustration and erode trust in public policy.” ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the au thor(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/838139/south-africas-new-employment-equity-targets-face-another-major-legal-battle/

Staff Reporter | 21 September 2025 AgriSETA has warned the public about a surge in scams falsely using its name to promise jobs and training opportunities. Farmers and job seekers are urged to stay vigilant, and to verify all offers via www.agriseta.co.za AgriSETA has raised a red flag over a surge in scams falsely claiming to be linked to the agricultural skills authority, warning farmers, job seekers, and the public not to fall victim to these fraudulent operations. In a strongly worded statement, AgriSETA distanced itself from schemes by CreativeMindz, JobsRecruitment, and Youth of Tsomo . The organisation said it does not endorse, partner with, or participate in any of the activities linked to these groups. “These fraudulent operations often involve misrepresentation of our brand, services, or personnel to deceive individuals,” the authority said. “We urge the public to exercise extreme caution and vigilance when encountering any suspicious communication, offers, or requests for personal information that purport to be from AgriSETA or its employees.” According to AgriSETA, many of these scams target vulnerable people by promising jobs, learnerships, or training opportunities in exchange for money or personal details. The authority stressed that it will not be held responsible for any personal or financial losses suffered as a result of these scams. Instead, the public is urged to confirm all information through AgriSETA’s official channels: www.agriseta.co.za or 012 301 5600. “We are committed to protecting our stakeholders and the public from deceptive practices and are exploring all available avenues to address such issues,” the organisation added. AgriSETA is an entity of the Department of Higher Education and Training and plays a key role in strengthening skills development across South Africa’s agricultural sector. Its vision is to enable a skilled, transformed, and prosperous industry, while its mission focuses on increasing access to impact-driven skills through strategic partnerships and credible research. How to protect yourself from scams Food For Mzansi also shared practical advice for farmers, job seekers, and students to avoid falling victim to fraudsters: Never pay money to apply for a job, bursary, or learnership. AgriSETA does not charge fees for applications or training opportunities. Check the source carefully. All official communication will come from AgriSETA’s website or official email addresses ending in @agriseta.co.za. Verify before you act. If an offer sounds suspicious, contact AgriSETA directly on 012 301 5600 to confirm its legitimacy. Be cautious of social media promises. Fraudsters often use fake Facebook pages, WhatsApp groups, or SMSes to spread misinformation. Report scams immediately. Sharing details of suspicious activity with AgriSETA can help protect others. ‘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.foodformzansi.co.za/agriseta-warns-public-against-fraudulent-scams-misusing-its-name/

Nomvula Zeldah Mabuza | 22 September 2025 When news broke that China would inject $10 billion into South Africa’s technology and industrial sectors, it sparked both excitement and scepticism. Position it as the biggest external bet on South Africa’s innovation future to date. For a country where economic stagnation, youth unemployment and skills erosion have become generational challenges, the investment appears messianic. But is this the turning point South Africa has been waiting for, or another headline promise destined to join the long list of initiatives that did not deliver as intended? The truth is that South Africa has never been short of ambitious plans. From the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) to the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA), bold frameworks repeatedly promised jobs, transformation and growth. Yet poor execution, weak governance and lack of institutional continuity eroded their impact. The lesson is sobering: capital, whether domestic or foreign, is only as transformative as the governance structures, institutions and skills ecosystems that absorb it. The Chinese investment is not equivalent to ASGISA. It is external, strategic and tied to Beijing’s global Belt and Road ambitions. But the parallel is cautionary: unless South Africa learns from past failures, the $10 billion could dissipate without delivering on its potential. The stakes are immense. South Africa’s unemployment rate remains among the highest globally, with youth unemployment at 44% (Stats SA, 2024). The digital economy could add $40 billion to GDP by 2030 (World Bank, 2023), but this requires investment in skills, infrastructure and innovation ecosystems. The Chinese capital, if channelled into technology parks, digital infrastructure, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, could accelerate the shift from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-driven one. Yet execution is decisive. Without accountability, transparent allocation and industry collaboration, the investment risks become another underutilised opportunity. South Africa must also confront a hard truth: it is not only money that has been missing, but the skills pipeline to deliver. According to the World Economic Forum, the country ranks 84th out of 141 nations in human capital competitiveness. Less than 20% of graduates are in STEM fields, while employers consistently report mismatched skills. The ICT sector alone reports an annual shortfall of more than 70 000 professionals (ICASA, 2023). To absorb $10 billion effectively, South Africa would need massive investment in STEM education and digital training, public–private partnerships in which local firms are not passive bystanders but co-creators of technology ecosystems and regional collaboration that positions South Africa not in isolation but as a hub for SADC and beyond. Without this, even the most advanced tech parks risk standing underutilised, symbolic of ambition without capacity. Global experience reinforces this point. Morocco’s renewable energy push, supported by international capital, succeeded because of strong governance and execution discipline. Rwanda’s Kigali Innovation City, though smaller in scale, has become a magnet for digital talent by combining foreign capital with rigorous skills development. India’s rise as a tech hub was not the result of a single investment but decades of consistent state support, skills building and partnership with its diaspora and private sector. The consistent thread is that money catalyses change only when paired with governance and human capital. Chinese investment, like any large-scale foreign capital, comes with both opportunities and risks. The Belt and Road Initiative has channelled billions into infrastructure across Africa, including the $4 billion standardgauge railway in Kenya, the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Nigeria, the port expansion in Djibouti and the fibre-optic backbone projects in Ethiopia. These projects demonstrate the scale and speed at which Chinese capital can transform logistics and connectivity. Critics caution that the debt burdens associated with some of these initiatives raise long-term risks. Others argue that Western scepticism often overlooks its own legacy of extractive engagement with Africa. For South Africa, the challenge is to strike a careful balance: embracing investment while maintaining strategic autonomy. This requires clear conditions such as technology transfer, local procurement, joint ventures and knowledge partnerships. The real risk is not the origin of the capital but whether South Africa exercises sufficient agency in determining how it is applied. Counterarguments deserve serious attention. Some will argue that $10 billion cannot fix systemic problems rooted in education, governance and institutional accountability. They are correct. But dismissing the investment outright ignores its potential catalytic effect. Others will warn that South Africa risks dependency on China. Yet diversification is possible if this investment is treated as one component of a broader industrial strategy that also embraces Western, African and domestic partnerships. Another concern is whether South Africa’s institutions are disciplined enough to manage capital of this scale, given the record of state capture and project delays in the past decade. These cautions must be acknowledged. The larger risk is complacency: assuming that money alone will create jobs. The reality is more demanding. Without skills pipelines, transparent monitoring and measurable outcomes, the initiative could echo failed promises of the past. Preventing this requires measurable outcomes. If even 20% of the investment is directed into ICT infrastructure and training, it could create over 100 000 new jobs in the digital economy by 2030 (World Bank estimates). Skills development should not be a side effect but a primary goal embedded in contracts and partnerships from the outset. The local private sector must be engaged not as contractors but as co-investors in innovation ecosystems. Otherwise, South Africa risks a future where technology is imported, not built and opportunities bypass domestic entrepreneurs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, once observed: “Africa does not lack resources. It lacks the capacity to transform them into prosperity.” This investment will test whether South Africa has learned to build that capacity. The $10 billion from China is not a panacea. It will not solve every structural weakness. But if strategically managed, transparently executed and domestically anchored, it could mark the beginning of South Africa’s transition into a true innovation economy. This is not about foreign capital rescuing South Africa. It is about South Africa proving that it can take global partnerships and channel them into national transformation. The choice is stark: harness this investment to empower its youth and create jobs or let it fade into the long history of missed opportunities. The verdict will not be written in policy documents or press releases. It will be written in the lives of millions of young South Africans waiting not for promises but for opportunities. Nomvula Zeldah Mabuza is a Risk Governance and Compliance Specialist with extensive experience in strategic risk and industrial operations. She holds a Diploma in Business Management (Accounting) from Brunel University, UK, and is an MBA candidate at Henley Business School, South Africa. ‘Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://businessreport.co.za/economy/2025-09-15-south-africas-10-billion-question-can-chinese-investment-build-africas-silicon-valley/

Koketso Molepo | 18 September 2025 Poverty is one of the greatest curses that a human being can suffer, and our government has created poverty for many of our people in this country while enriching only the connected few. My introduction contains a painful truth. As a young South African, I have seen first-hand how mismanagement, misplaced priorities, and outdated policies continue to rob our people of dignity, hope, and opportunity. South Africa is blessed with resources, talent, and resilience, yet too many of our citizens remain trapped in cycles of poverty. If we are serious about building a thriving nation, we must confront these realities with courage, urgency, and vision. The Burden of Laws that Strangle Growth Instead of creating an environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment, our country has chosen to impose restrictive laws that inhibit growth. • B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment): While designed to correct historical injustices, in practice it has become a gatekeeping mechanism that benefits a politically connected elite. It discourages investment, especially from foreign companies who cannot navigate its bureaucracy. • Rigid Labour Laws: South Africa’s labour market is among the most restrictive in the world. Businesses fear hiring because retrenchment is a legal nightmare. This strangles job creation and leaves millions unemployed. • Expropriation Without Compensation: The very idea undermines investor confidence. No one will pour money into land, factories, or infrastructure if tomorrow it can be seized without fair recourse. These laws, though born from certain ideals, are suffocating our future. To attract capital, we must embrace policies that encourage wealth creation, entrepreneurship, and competition. Lessons from the Health Sector Our public hospitals tell a heartbreaking story. I lost my brother, Khutso Molepo and my sister Tebogo, at Edenvale Hospital, not because of a lack of will from doctors and nurses, but because of a lack of resources, staff, and infrastructure. It is a tragedy repeated across South Africa. Yet, on the other side, our private hospitals are some of the best in the world. Why are we not actively engaging the heads of Netcare, Life Healthcare, and Mediclinic to transfer knowledge and systems to the public sector? Imagine what could happen if our government swallowed its pride and asked, “How can we replicate your excellence for the benefit of all South Africans?” That collaboration could save lives, just as it could have saved Khutso and Tebogo. The Path Forward: Growth, Investment, and Friendship Our future must be built on growth. Poverty cannot be wished away, it is only eradicated when people have jobs, when businesses thrive, and when opportunities multiply. To get there, we must: • End destructive policies like B-BBEE and expropriation without compensation. • Reform labour laws to encourage businesses to hire freely and expand. • Offer bold incentives to global investors. Imagine telling millionaires and billionaires of the world: “Come to South Africa. Build here. Grow here. For the first 5 or 10 years, your investments will be tax-free.” The message would spread globally that South Africa is open for business. At the same time, we must make friends with rich nations—not by begging, but by offering partnerships that benefit both sides. The world is searching for growth markets. South Africa can be that place, but only if we create certainty, stability, and opportunity. The curse of poverty must not define South Africa’s destiny. We must face the truth: policies that were meant to empower us are instead impoverishing us. We must be bold enough to tear down the barriers to growth, wise enough to learn from those who have succeeded, and brave enough to invite the world to invest in our future. I see a South Africa where no child dies in a hospital corridor because of neglect. I see a South Africa where investors flock because they know their money is safe. I see a South Africa where hard work, not political connection determines success. The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now. ‘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/opinion/a-vision-of-a-young-south-african-for-the-future-o

Kgolo Qwelane | 17 September 2025 Tax changes would have rendered preference share funding unattractive and obsolete as a funding tool. The halt by the government on the proposed tax changes to the treatment of preference share funding in the 2025 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill is to be welcomed.  This is a relief regarding mergers & acquisitions activity, as the changes would have caused lower investment returns for BEE investors, reduced the secondary market for BEE deals and created a more difficult BEE deal-making environment.  The proposed framework would have harmed the tax treatment of dividend payments on preference shares, removing the only viable source of finance for equity transactions and adversely affecting BEE deals in SA.  According to the BBBEE Commission, BEE transactions with a gross value of R660bn were registered in 2017-24. Of these concluded BEE deals only the net value (after settlement of associated funding) would end up in participants’ hands. Broad-based participation in BEE schemes While early BEE transactions primarily benefited a few key individuals, they have since become broader and more inclusive. Hundreds of thousands of black beneficiaries have participated in broad-based schemes in the form of employee share ownership plans (Esops) — such as Shoprite, Absa, Harmony and Valterra — and retail schemes such as Vodacom YeboYethu, MultiChoice Phuthuma Nathi, SAB Zenzele, MTN Zakhele Futhi, Sasol Inzalo and Barloworld Khula Sizwe.  Many of these schemes caused significant value being generated for many citizens. Kumba’s Envision Esop saw eligible employees receive share units that entitled them to dividend payouts twice a year and a final pretax payment of about R576,000 each when the scheme was unwound in 2011.  How preference share funding works BEE transactions are typically funded through a combination of entry discounts, equity contributions from the BEE parties, external funding (largely through preference share funding) and vendor funding from the sponsor company to cover the shortfall.  At the end of the BEE transaction term, sufficient shares are sold to settle the outstanding funding, with only the balance representing a “profit” for the BEE investor.  Successful BEE deals are characterised by the following: strong share price performance, competitive funding rates and long transaction terms.  Consequences of the proposed tax amendments The proposed changes in the 2025 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill regarding preference shares would have seen preference share dividends (previously exempt from tax) become taxable in the hands of the recipients/funders without a corresponding deduction at the preference share issuer level. Considering SA tax law does not generally allow for a tax deduction of interest when a loan is used to finance share acquisitions, these tax amendments would have significantly curtailed a major source of equity financing for share transactions.  Good news for investors and economic growth By putting an end to the proposed changes to preference share funding existing deals, BEE investors will no longer be subject to an estimated 37% increase in funding costs and new deals will no longer be charged at a higher funding rate from inception.  This is good news, as the tax changes would have rendered preference share funding unattractive and obsolete as a funding tool, discouraging investment, potentially harming economic growth, reducing taxes associated with M&A transactions and resulting in unintended consequences for the thousands of citizens who would otherwise benefit from BBBEE schemes. ‘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.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2025-09-17-kgolo-qwelane-canning-of-proposed-changes-to-preference-share-funding-welcome/

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/