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Motalatale Modiba | 18 July 2023 Motalatale Modiba is a Gauteng government official who spent 16 June helping young people to apply for hundreds of jobs at the Nasi iSpani Jobs Fair. On 16 June 2023 the Gauteng government unleashed an ambitious campaign to get more young people applying for jobs in the public service within the province. The outcome of the recruitment drive, called Nasi iSpani (loosely translated to “we are hiring”), was more than 1.3 million applications – 1,273,604 online and 73,396 paper-based. In another era one would have been shocked at the high number of applications. However, the biennial Quality of Life survey by the Gauteng City-Region Observatory has, since 2009, provided insights into quality of life and socioeconomic circumstances – and it mutes any chance of a surprise about the numbers above. Joblessness, crime and substance abuse continue to be among the leading social melancholies eating at the very fibre of Gauteng, a province that remains a hopeful destination for those fighting to escape the shackles of poverty. Chief among those affected by these social ills are legions of young people. It was, therefore, not surprising that the response to the maiden Nasi iSpani Jobs Fair was a groundswell of desperate but aspirant unemployed people – young people from townships, informal settlements and hostels. It is not that the ideals of the stalwarts of our still fledgling democracy… have grown archaic; the painful indictment is that we have rendered them irrelevant. On the eve of 16 June, young people from across the province could hardly sleep as they waited in anticipation for the breaking of dawn. At the Nasrec Expo Centre in Soweto, Khutsong Multipurpose Centre in Carletonville, Rabasotho Hall in Tembisa, Lotus Gardens in Atteridgeville, Faranani Multipurpose Centre in Tsakane and many other community halls, young people gathered from as early as 5am, signalling that they can no longer afford to have their future deferred. When last did you see young people coming out in large numbers on 16 June and they weren’t going to a party at a local joint or park? When last did you see young people, besides card-carrying members of political parties, taking any interest in 16 June commemorative events? Even the “forever young” in the establishment are disillusioned, if we are to face the truth. Unambiguous message from young people In scenes that some said were reminiscent of the historic first democratic elections in 1994, snakelike queues marked a poignant reflective point that should forever alter how we commemorate this day. The thousands and thousands of young people at more than 20 sites set up for the jobs fair sent an unambiguous message: The days of empty political rhetoric are long gone. Young people don’t want to be told about yesterday’s sacrifices that are disconnected from their lived experiences. It is not that the ideals of the stalwarts of our still fledgling democracy, whose indelible footprints continue to dominate our political discourse, have grown archaic; the painful indictment is that we have rendered them irrelevant. By failing to live up to them, and by being oblivious to the fact that we are nowhere close to the ideals and values they espoused, we have led society to snub them. Talking rhetorically to our young people without offering practical solutions to decisively respond to their plight is largely the reason they have lost interest in participating in the spectacle of shallow rallies. Disguised as political conscientisation platforms, these are more about those delivering speeches than the audiences being addressed. Today’s young people have raised their hands in a very deafening way to say that they will not allow themselves to be relegated to what some have termed the “nyaope generation”. Young people have said unequivocally: “Point us in the right direction, where we too can register our own interest in shaping the future we desire for ourselves.” While the number of applications received far outweighs the 8,000 jobs that were on offer, the commitment made by Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi that future job opportunities will draw first from the already created database is encouraging. We dare not be a generation that will not respond positively to this clarion call. The jobs fair, if sustained and freed from political perversion, which nowadays holds young people to ransom, has the potential to reignite the indomitable spirit that lies dormant within every young person who braved the cold weather on 16 June 2023 to make their presence known. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2023-07-18-young-in-gauteng-signal-days-of-empty-political-rhetoric-are-over/

Creamer Media | 18 July 2023 South Africa’s manufacturing sector is one of several areas of interest, identified in the National Development Plan (NDP) as an industry poised for job creation and GDP growth. Despite several hurdles having thwarted the industry’s progress over the past few years, efforts by the public and private sectors to revitalise and expand South Africa’s manufacturing capabilities, present an encouraging prospect for small- and medium-sized (SMEs). Last year saw South Africa’s manufacturing sector being put through its paces, with the industry’s gross value showing a decline of 1.3 percentage points during the first six months of the year when compared to the same period in 2022. Persistent loadshedding, input cost pressures and the Durban floods during April this year dealt deafening blows to the sector’s progress in several key performance areas. The industry did, however, show signs of recovery during the latter part of 2022, with an almost 3 percentage point year-on-year increase in September. Despite predictions by analysts that factory output would remain subdued, factory production rose by just under 5 percent month-on-month over the same time period. Recently, the Absa Purchasing Managers Index rose to 49.8 index points in April 2023 from 48.1 in March showing some signs of recovery. SMEs as vital cogs within the sector’s growth engine For Jeremy Lang, Chief Investment Officer at Business Partners Limited; as sectors such as manufacturing seek to follow the country’s renewed impetus towards economic recovery, a vital component of the solution lies with small businesses. As he asserts: “Going forward, the strategic positioning of small businesses along the industry’s supply and value chains will serve to unlock the sector’s potential as a bolstered contributor to our country’s GDP, socioeconomic development and the broadening of the fiscal base.” Recent data presented by Stats SA saw South Africa’s manufacturing sector taking its place as the second highest contributor to total turnover (25 percent), after trade. “Now is the ideal opportunity for local entrepreneurs to seek out and harness the opportunities that exist within the manufacturing space,” says Lang, who encourages SME owners to look into sub-sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and steel. Opportunities within sub-sectors A key example can be seen in the findings of a report by the Pan-African Investment and Research Services (PAIRS), which foregrounded the agro-processing sub-sector as one of the most crucial drivers of the manufacturing sector. Opportunities for SMEs in this arena sit within areas such as processing, logistics, training and skills development, quality assurance, and machinery. As Lang explains, for SMEs who wish to take advantage of “emerging trends” within these kinds of value chains, skills such as innovation, negotiation and collaboration will be significant determinants of enduring success. It is also the ideal time to “pool our resources” and “optimise our existing strengths” as a country, as Lang advises, making reference to the fact that South Africa boasts some of the world’s largest automotive production plants. Given that the automotive industry is undergoing an unprecedented period of transformation, driven by the global call for sustainability, SMEs now have the opportunity to position themselves into this pivotal change process in areas such as the production of parts for electric vehicles and cleaner energy innovations. Intercontinental prospects for local SMEs Contributing to the Pan-African outlook on manufacturing and what it means for South African SMEs, Lang encourages entrepreneurs to set their sights both on local prospects and those which lie within the African continent as a whole. An important factor in the growth of the country’s intercontinental manufacturing capabilities is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). As Lang argues, the AfCFTA can provide local manufacturers with the exact momentum they need to expand into other African territories. The greatest challenge for SMEs looking to take advantage of more harmonious intra-Africa trade lies within skills and the realm of transport and the ailing state of South African infrastructure. In light of the skills challenge, Lang encourages SMEs to seek support from the Business Partners Ltd technical assistance and mentorship programme sponsored by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). “Through our technical assistance programme, we contract expert consultants to assist business owners in navigating the challenges they face in their business journey and close the skills gap that may exist within a business.” Lang is also in full support of the recent launch of the NEF-Transnet SMME Fund, purposed towards boosting localisation and South Africa’s manufacturing capabilities. The five-year partnership between Transnet, the National Empowerment Fund, the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (Naacam), plans to integrate SMEs into its related value chains and is expected to invest around R220 million into the resurgence of the local manufacturing sector. As Lang concludes: “South African SMEs need to tap into developments on the local front, where government has committed to promoting localisation and industrial diversification as part of its NDP targets. As the future of the sector; driven by policy reform, begins to take shape - entrepreneurs should pay close attention to industry developments and consider that manufacturing may hold the key to long-term success.” ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/sas-manufacturing-sector-and-the-golden-opportunities-for-smes-2023-07-18

Bizcommunity | 18 July 2023 When considering South Africa's unemployment crisis, Max Oliva, CEO of Spar Southern Africa, says that despite economic struggles, it is crucial for corporates to find new ways to build and grow sustainable jobs. He believes developing and growing broad supply chains is where the best impact on job creation and the real economy will be felt. For instance, the Spar Supplier Development Programme is aimed at actively helping introduce more micro and small food suppliers into the large and growing food supply chain – which is often more focused on securing share for bigger players. “Our programme has been specifically designed to ensure that micro and small suppliers have all the tools, knowledge and access to industry specialists they need to help them grow their businesses and achieve their full potential, in the most effective and affordable way,” says Oliva. Spar’s initiatives are being constantly evolved to ensure broader sustainable impact in areas like agriculture and manufacturing, which is where SA can accelerate its search for jobs. “By embracing micro and small suppliers within the agriculture and manufacturing sectors, we are not only living The Spar Group values of entrepreneurship, family values and passion but also adapting to economic change. Having recently experienced a global pandemic and the impact this has had on food retail, customer demands have changed, and we need to remain agile enough to adapt accordingly. This in turn will support the growth of local businesses and create employment,” says Oliva. Rural Hub model In 2016, The Spar Group embarked on the journey to develop and invest in small-scale farmer entrepreneurs. This led to the establishment of the Group’s first Rural Hub in Ofcolaco, in the Mopani District of Limpopo. “Our Rural Hub model is intentionally focused on rural community development and supports small-scale farmers by providing guaranteed markets for their products and by providing relevant technical and food safety training, as well as facilitating access to funding,” explains Oliva. However, growing community businesses and creating opportunities requires funding to match the commitment. “We have enabled the Rural Hub farmers to produce commercial quality and quantities of high-value crops grown under the protection of net houses. And have, to date, financed all operational costs and funded the capital assets,” says Oliva. The Spar Rural Hub today supports 12 small-scale farmers in Limpopo and has created 103 jobs at farm level and 62 secondary jobs at packhouse and technical services level. Notably, a total of 63% of the product grown by the participating Rural Hub farmers is supplied to Spar under the Freshline and Country Value labels and delivered to Spar South Rand, North Rand and KwaZulu-Natal distribution centres. High-value crops through the Spar Freshline brand are ultimately more profitable for the farmer. Community development “Our model is intentionally focused on rural community development and is different to other programmes in that we address systemic issues such as food security. Our purpose is to inspire people to do and be more. This is core to our way of doing business and strongly feeds into our vision of being the first-choice brand in the communities we serve,” says Oliva. “This model continues to contribute positively to economic transformation, improving food security and the health and well-being of people within rural communities, and we are very proud of our achievements. We want to take this to the next level now,” says Oliva. Education and leadership are the key pillars to ongoing jobs growth and skills development and in this regard the Spar Academy of Learning and its JumpStart programme is playing a unique role in leadership development in the South African landscape. “Both programmes draw on thought leadership academically, conceptually, and practically in a way that makes them highly relevant,” says Oliva. “JumpStart for instance, lays the foundations to address unemployment through a sustainable conduit giving young people the opportunity to experience the world of work, and the world of retail.” Work experience and training The Spar Group has also partnered with FutureMe since 2016, working with high school learners to inspire them to follow a career in retail. Topics such as values, personal branding, business ethics, customer service, problem solving, and entrepreneurship are all addressed in the programme. Graduates from FutureMe’s Go-Getter Challenge who want to pursue a career in stores are also encouraged to join Spar’s JumpStart programme where they can get hands-on experience in a retail store environment. Meanwhile, the Spar Distribution Centres and central office teams continue to provide opportunities for graduates to gain work experience through internships, with 772 people participating to date. To further ramp up opportunities in the modern digital age, in 2022 Spar Southern Africa embarked on a second round of the Spar YES4Youth learnership programme, with an initial cohort of 441 learners. “We are delighted to report that as at the end of March 2023, with the conclusion of the 2022 programme, we managed to permanently employ 46 learners which, at 10.43%, is higher than the YES requirement of an absorption rate of 2.5%,” says Oliva. “We commenced with our 2023 YES4Youth intake at the beginning of April 2023 with a total of onboarded. Our learners have been provided with smartphones to complete their modules through the YES4Youth app and are paid a monthly stipend as they get real workplace experience through training in retail stores, at our distribution centres and at Spar’s central office. “Corporate South Africa needs to work harder to plug the rising unemployment gap in our country. In doing our part, we’re accelerating our commitment to education so that we are part of the solution in finding and growing jobs to help turn the alarming jobs situation around,” concludes Oliva. Micro and small-scale food producers are encouraged to sign up for the Spar Supplier Development Programme. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/183/240256.html

Brian Mahlangu | 17 July 2023 Failure to transform the economy is equivalent to a betrayal of the collective trust of the masses of the vulnerable black people, says the author. NOTWITHSTANDING the projected economic growth and job creation of the National Development Plan, South Africa’s macroeconomic policies leave much to be desired. The current blend of radical socio-economic transformation policies and plans, with some glaring weaknesses, may not deliver expected fundamental changes in the economic ideology, economic system, economic structure and economic institutions that are needed for sustainable growth and job creation. In the name of radical socio-economic transformation, the nature of the ideological superstructure and economic sub-structure in South Africa is likely to remain intact, thus the radical socio-economic transformation may not result in policy outcomes of inclusive economic growth and job creation to counter ever increasing high unemployment. Inclusive economic growth implies decentralised and de-concentrated economic growth spatially, where poor people live, work, participate in the generation of economic activities and in poor communities where the means of production are used in the production of goods and services for the development of poor people in their areas. It should be redistributive of national resources and income equitably to all the citizens, as a human right imperative; instead of excluding large section of citizens of opportunities for the fulfilment of their human right of having meaningful standards of living. Where poor people are permanently excluded from the mainstream economy, the state must devise means to ensure that all citizens enjoy the fruits of inclusive economic growth. These quagmires of substantive transformation are also witnessed where blacks are in top management and leadership positions in private and public institutions. Acceptably now, there is no sincere commitment to fundamental economic transformation among other leaders who were mandated to accelerate transformation. The core responsibility of substantive transformation is largely placed in African leadership for its success; rather than by conservative white leadership that historically was the greatest beneficiaries of racial discriminatory apartheid government with the privileges of the past racist political order that ordained that Africans be subjected to largely permanent economic deprivation. It appears the decisive leadership in private and public sectors to expedite transformation is in chronic short supply and our economy is in an unenviably unfavourable state after 30 years of democracy and freedom, due to economic policy choices and decisions the leadership made and continues to make. These economic policy choices are dragging the whole economy down, hence, a failure to yield fundamental socio-economic changes, betraying the legitimate expectations of poor citizens. Historically the deprived black majority is supposedly the primary target groups of the socio-economic transformation outcomes. However, the benefits of institutional economic transformation bypass them to be monopolised by the few capitalist elites for their own individual private interest. It is highly likely that the transformation model adopted by South Africa will not be able deliver on the expectations of the poor, except for making misleading rhetoric promises and pronouncements. In some quarters socio-economic transformation is misconstrued as an antithesis of progressive efforts and strategies to paddle forward responsive policy intentions to realise inclusive economic growth. Pseudo radical socio-economic transformation without economic substance created manipulative small black elites, who always pretend to be the genuine representatives of the downtrodden poor black majority, while it indulges in self -enrichment. This artificially created black elite is unable to influence white capital control of the economy. Some of these black elites were elevated by entrepreneurship and ‘tenderpreneurship’ deals to become instant millionaires and billionaires who largely share the same interests and resources with white elites. They have lost credibility and the respect of the people and can no longer claim to have legitimate connections with the black majority; hence they cannot provide credible leadership in black communities now. If social economic transformation remains an unsuccessful experiment, there is a potential for social instability, public disillusion and popular discontent among citizens. South Africa cannot completely transform without de-racialisation of the economy to be inclusive in ownership, management and control of the commanding heights of our economy. This may lead to the untangling of the economic ownership monopoly by the few rich elites and expedite required equitable economic redistribution and de-concentration of ownership, management and control of the means of economic production from the monopolistic few rich white males who are said to occupy approximately 65% of management and control in the private sector, especially at the tertiary sector of the economy. There is oversensitivity to the myth that says economic transformation is the antithesis of economic growth. An untransformed South African economy will not be able to absorb battalions of unemployed young black people for a long time. It is a reckless error of the leadership to squarely entrust the responsibility of socio-economic transformation generally in the hands of few white leaders who have never demonstrated an interest to accelerate it without resistance by parading excuses to preserve their privileges and monopoly of economic resources ownership. If the black leadership allows the prolongation of transformation failures, poverty, unemployment and inequality will remain permanent features in our country. Honest leadership should provide credible accountability for the mammoth failure of socio-economic transformation of deserving citizens. The responsibility of the leaders is that they must be capable and trustworthy for leadership roles in the interest of the poor black majority. If the leadership cannot use political power, influence and constitutional authority to the advantage of the poor people, they must give way to capable and competent ones to deliver socio-economic transformation to end the over-prolonged scourge of deprivation among the black majority. Genuine radical socio-economic transformation must change the social order and economic structural arrangement with the focus on the fundamental change of the economic system, structures, policies, laws and socio-economic power relations among its citizens. Currently both the social order and economic order are inherently exclusive and marginalising; thus, the economy displays multiple features of the inequities and inequalities of an unparalleled scale. Genuine radical socio-economic transformation should imply fundamental changes of the highest order – the superstructure and substructure level – in the economy. Radical socio-economic transformation is about mainstreaming, empowerment and participation of the poor people in crucial management areas of economic affairs for the country to become substantively united, democratic, non-racial and non-sexiest, human right-sensitive and social cohesion in line with constitutional imperatives. Radical socio-economic transformation is also a matter of political economy and power relations. Those with economic power should be prepared to relinquish and decentralise some of it for the powerless ones to exercise power of economic decision-making in their respective yet critical area of governance. Failure to transform the economy is equivalent to a betrayal of the collective trust of the masses of the vulnerable black people, while the success of transformation will partly facilitate public participation in the economic policy decision-making process. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/opinion/sas-macroeconomic-policies-leave-much-to-be-desired-a21e01f4-0cb0-4d59-b514-cda4ebdfe59d

Rising Sun | 17 July 2023 According to a report from the Education Commission and UNICEF, published to coincide with World Youth Skills Day, it is estimated that only around 25 percent of the world’s youth are on track to learn the skills they need to get a job- either through education, employment or training. In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared July 15 as World Youth Skills Day, to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, appropriate work and entrepreneurship. This year, the theme for World Youth Skills Day is skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future, highlighting the essential role that educators play in providing skills for youth to move into the labour market and actively engage in their communities and societies. According to a report from the Education Commission and UNICEF, published to coincide with World Youth Skills Day, it is estimated that only around 25 percent of the world’s youth are on track to learn the skills they need to get a job- either through education, employment or training. This is certainly something the IIE School of Hospitality and Service Management has been hard at work developing by incorporating themes, such as cultural thinking, problem-solving and financial literacy into their teachings. Courses such as their advanced certificate in hospitality management help students acquire skills set to interpret challenges in the various hospitality departments, deliver services efficiently and effectively, solve problems and exploit opportunities to improve services. Students also get to understand the legal requirements that have an impact on business and basic accounting principles. Etresia Booysen, a senior lecturer at the IIE School of Hospitality and Service Management’s Rosebank campus, said, “Combining academics with practical experience is highly important to prepare students for the labour market in the hospitality industry. While academic knowledge provides a strong foundation of theoretical concepts and principles, practical experience offers invaluable insights into real-world scenarios, skills development, and industry-specific challenges.” Booysen said that their approach to student preparation goes beyond theoretical classes by incorporating practical demonstrations and hands-on experiences. “As the flagship campus, we host a variety of events on-site, during which time the students actively participate and contribute to the operations, allowing them to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios. This practical exposure not only enhances their understanding of the industry but also hones their interpersonal skills, particularly in areas such as communication and teamwork. Moreover, these events serve as networking platforms for our students and, by working alongside industry professionals and engaging with event attendees, our students have the chance to establish valuable connections and build relationships with potential employers and industry partners. It is not uncommon for our students to receive job offers or internship opportunities during these events, illustrating the practical relevance and industry recognition of our programme,” Booysen continued. Third-year student Daniël de Bruin, who last year completed an internship at JAN, the Michelin-star, Nice-based restaurant of Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, said, “Practical learning during studies is crucial for the development of skills and abilities. It is so important that students gain practical experience before entering the industry, and this should be done during class with a lecturer as a facilitator. Practical experience is the foundation that needs to be set before learning any other theory and students need to feel free to make mistakes with the people they know and are comfortable with. To fail is the best way to learn! My success, and the success of all the other third-year students would not have been possible without practical skills development in our first year.” Here are nine key facts about the youth skills gap: By 2030, there will be 78 million more young people, with nearly 40 million of them in low-income countries and requiring education and training. According to the World Skills Clock, a partnership between UNICEF, the Education Commission, World Data Lab, and Generation Unlimited, which counts up in real-time, there are currently over 737 million youth without secondary education-level skills. Youth employment fell by 39 million in 2020 while 24 million young people are still at risk of not returning to school. Young people lost jobs faster than other age groups in the first few months of the pandemic, because they were over-represented in the worst-hit sectors or had temporary or fixed-term contracts. Over 30 percent of young women worldwide are not in employment, education, or training, while for young men- it’s 13 percent. More than 86 percent of apprenticeships were halted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 600 million jobs need to be created over the next 15 years to meet youth employment needs. According to a recent survey, 50 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds believe there will be no traditional employment in the future and instead, they will promote their own personal brands and sell skills on a short-term basis to those who need them The proportion of the world’s youth without digital skills sits at 63 percent. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://risingsunnewspapers.co.za/264131/world-youth-skills-day-more-important-and-urgent-than-ever/

Ngwako Malatji, Bongani Mdakane | 16 July 2023 The directors of a Joburg-based engineering company, NJM Heat Treatment & NDE Services (NJM), failed to report to the Hawks for alleged fraud after the Joburg High Court ordered them to do so more than three weeks ago. The apparent decision to cock a snook at the court order is likely to open them to contempt of court charges. In her judgment, which we have seen, judge Fiona Dippenaar said the three directors Mark Smith , Vanessa Chungu and Alex Roditis should report to the law enforcement agency after they stated in their answering affidavits that they fraudulently supplied a signed shareholders’ agreement to Eskom for the purpose of misleading and misrepresenting NJM shareholding to win a tender at the struggling state-owned utility a few years ago. The shareholding agreement was intended to prove black business shareholder ownership of the company. It appeared that the directors’ conduct was tantamount to committing broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) fraud. This shocking detail came to the fore when a female shareholder, Baleseng Zinyana, who held 26% of the shares, which she paid for in cash, took the other directors to court after they refused to hand her the company’s accounting records to conduct an audit to determine the value of the business. In her application, Zinyana said she suspected manipulation of the company’s financial performance as the management accounts did not tie up with the financial statements. The application also stated that the financial records of the company were manipulated in order to reduce the company’s profit margin to below R50-million in 2019 to enable the entity, which also scored millions of rands from Sasol, to generate a BBBEE affidavit to maintain a BBBEE level 1 status. Zinyana also approached the company auditors and requested them to review the contents of the audited financial statements, but they refused to do so. The company’s woes are likely to pile up as Jack Madzivhandila, who was appointed by Zinyana as director of NJM, also reported the company’s questionable activities and BBBEE fronting to authorities. Madzivhandila, who was booted out of the company in 2019 after raising concerns about the dubious activities, reported NJM to BBBEE commission of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Sasol. In the letter, addressed to the DTI in February 2021, Madzivhandila said he was informed in 2017 by Smith and Roditis that they intended to sell the shares of other shareholders, other than those held by Zinyana, equalling 25% to Chungu to enable the company to be 51% black woman owned. He said he was later informed that Chungu bought the shares but because she did not have the capital she would pay for them from dividends. He said four years later Chungu still had not paid for the shares because the company had not declared or paid dividends. He also said the company’s turnover was reduced so that the profit margins would remain low, thereby diminishing the chances of dividends being paid out. As a result, Chungu would forever be indebted while on the other hand, the company continued to benefit from a good BBBEE assessment scoring. “I am of the view that Chungu’s ownership is only on paper but not which will economically empower her as a black woman.” NJM lawyers, Knowles Husain Lindsay Attorneys, did not respond to written questions while Chungu declined to comment on specific questions sent to her. However, in the letter they sent to Sunday World last week, the lawyers disputed that Zinyana won the case against NJM in court. They said the businesswoman brought an application to court and they opposed it and the matter was set down for May 8 this year. They said the merits of her case were never dealt with, saying they were of the view that her case was without merits. They said the parties agreed to a settlement in order to resolve the matter practically, which was made an order of court. In terms of the agreement, they said, Zinyana’s shares would be purchased by the other directors if they agree on their value. DTI and Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale also failed to respond to our written questions. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokowena said they did not have the records of NJM in their system. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://sundayworld.co.za/news/business/njm-directors-ignore-court-order-fail-to-report-to-hawks-for-bee-fraud/

Alpha Ramushwana | 15 July 2023 The Gauteng premier on Friday said that of the 1.2 million applications received, most were for general jobs. JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng government said a majority of applicants for jobs through the Nasi Ispani Programme were unskilled and didn’t qualify for certain posts. The statement was made by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi at a media briefing in Midrand on Friday. The recruitment programme, which was launched in June, is aimed at tackling youth unemployment in the province. Lesufi said while over 1.2 million applications were received, most people applied for general jobs. “Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements and Infrastructure Lebogang Maile is going to meet with SETA [Sector Education and Training Authority] and skills training agencies. "We want to know what kind of training they can bring to re-skill these people, so that they stand a better chance.” Lesufi admitted that government would need to do more to create jobs. “We are going to target institutions that have the potential to take large numbers. Take IEC [Independent Electoral Commission] for elections for example. The IEC has a potential to take a high number. We are going to ask MEC Maile to go and meet with the IEC...We've already advertised so don't advertise and waste money.” ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://ewn.co.za/2023/07/15/majority-of-nasi-ispani-applicants-didn-t-qualify-for-certain-posts-says-lesufi

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Mpumelelo Maphalala | 15 July 2023 The partnership between SAB and Isanti Glass represents a significant achievement in South Africa's journey toward economic transformation South African Breweries (SAB) and Isanti Glass, South Africa’s first majority black-owned glass container manufacturer, commemorated their successful three-year partnership. The collaboration marks a significant step towards achieving the country’s transformational goals and promoting localisation. SAB has entered into a 10-year offtake agreement with Isanti Glass, ensuring that SAB will purchase any unsold products from Isanti. This strategic arrangement guarantees a stable market and revenue stream for Isanti’s future output. The partnership between SAB and Isanti Glass has resulted in the creation of South Africa’s first majority black-owned glass manufacturer. It exemplifies SAB’s commitment to government objectives and its dedication to converting existing suppliers to support transformation initiatives. This collaboration sends a powerful message about the importance of localisation and its wide-ranging impact. By partnering with Isanti Glass, SAB is actively promoting the involvement of small players, particularly black-owned businesses, in the industry and fostering job creation. Deputy Minister of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), Fikile Majola, emphasised the significance of this milestone. Majola stated, “This acquisition and transaction between SAB and Isanti help broaden black participation. It serves as an excellent example of how black empowerment should be pursued. SAB’s 10-year offtake agreement ensures the success of Isanti, which is crucial for Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and participation in our economy. We consistently emphasise that the economy cannot grow if it remains concentrated. We need to deconcentrate the economy spatially and encourage participation from different national groups, especially those previously disadvantaged.” Isanti Glass is currently in the process of securing a fourth furnace to increase glass production. As South Africa heavily relies on glass imports, this expansion project will help bridge the gap and alleviate concerns about the rand/dollar exchange rate for local glass buyers. Chairman of Isanti Glass, Shakes Matiwaza, highlighted the importance of local glass production. He explained, “South Africa is a net importer of glass, especially container glass. Given our rand/dollar exchange rate, it is vital to procure glass locally for our customers. As long as we continue importing glass, there will be a demand for locally produced glass. Moreover, local production creates employment opportunities.” The partnership between SAB and Isanti Glass serves as a model for promoting localisation, supporting black-owned businesses, and ensuring sustainable economic growth. It represents a significant achievement in South Africa’s journey toward economic transformation and empowerment. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sab-isanti-glass-celebrate-partnership-to-promote-localisation-and-black-ownership/

SABC | 15 July 2023 In South Africa, youth unemployment came in at 46.5% in the first quarter of this year. Civil society organisation, Alliance For Youth, says the majority of South African youth do not possess the necessary skills to take up jobs, especially in the technological fields. This comes as the world marks World Youth Skills Day. Statistics by the UN suggests that 600 million jobs would have to be created over the next 15 years to meet youth employment needs globally. In South Africa, youth unemployment came in at 46.5% in the first quarter of this year. Spokesperson for Alliance For Youth, Noxolo Mnisi says, “There’s new roles that have come into play, especially after COVID where most of the young people are not able to jump in and take up those roles, because there’s a huge skills gap. We have the necessary qualifications, but are the qualifications that we are studying at universities relevant to what the job future looks like? It’s very critical to highlight things such as these because it makes us sit back as corporate, as government, to see where can we potentially start partnering together and helping close those gaps.” ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/majority-of-sa-youth-do-not-possess-the-necessary-skills-to-take-up-jobs/

Choosing the correct Skills Development service provider, in most cases, is the difference between the success or failure of a Skills Development Strategy. Therefore, due diligence before contracting a Skills Development service provider is essential and would include establishing the following: How long have they been in business? Did they previously trade under another company name? What are the geographical areas in which they operate? Do they have references that support a solid track record? What is the average drop-out rate of Learners? Do they rely on third-party intervention? Are the Learners’ salaries or wages in line with the national minimum wage requirements? Can they furnish evidence that they are an accredited Skills Development service provider? Do they adhere to the standards of the body of their accreditation? Can they provide a financial viability report from their auditors? Do they agree to a site visit to confirm that the facilities will adequately accommodate Learners from both an infrastructural and geographical perspective? Can they confirm that they have the in-house capacity to meet the contract requirements? Do they have a good relationship with the primary SETA aligned with the sector an organisation represents? Skills Development Services are available to assist members in selecting a Skills Development service provider.