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Mzukisi Qobo | 19 April 2023 Alternatives: Photovoltaic panels at the Sishen in the Northern Cape. South Africa’s National Infrastructure Plan aims for an energy mix to cut the country’s reliance on coal. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg/Getty Images) Since the United Nations Climate Change Agreement was signed by 196 nations in December 2015, many countries have announced policies to reduce their fossil fuel emissions. Their commitments are set out in nationally determined actions they’ll be taking to achieve this. But the transition must navigate political economy tensions, especially in developing countries. Take South Africa, for example. It has deep-seated socio-economic problems such as inequality and unemployment. Its unemployment rate (including people who have given up looking for jobs) is unacceptably high at 42.5%. The country is also among the most unequal in the world. And inequality remains mostly delineated by “race”. The mainstream economy remains predominantly owned by the white minority almost 30 years after democracy. South Africa is under pressure to move from fossil fuels to green energy, with a strong emphasis on renewable sources. It has developed a just energy transition framework and a just investment proposal that has so far yielded €600 million in concessional finance from France and Germany. But the country is yet to formulate a systematic transition plan. Such a plan would be underpinned by a social contract, supported by a broad range of stakeholders and affected groups. Moving to green energy will affect those directly employed in the coal mining sector. This is a fifth of those employed in the mining sector. That means 108 000 out of 514 859 people. The ripple effects of the transition will also be felt across the value chain, from mines to markets and into people’s homes. Making the green energy transition a success requires that the government pay attention not just to environmental factors, but also to socio-economic needs. It must pay special attention to the effect on workers and people living in mining areas, and the macroeconomic effects of dwindling foreign exchange earnings and taxes. Ignoring socio-economic issues risks a populist backlash that could slow a necessary transition to a green industrial economy. Socio-economic imperatives The core mission of South Africa’s shift towards green energy should be to achieve economic growth, rising employment and greater equity and inclusion. It must do all this while minimising social risks. A green energy transition that is not anchored in fairness and inclusivity could potentially multiply socio-economic risks. Any efforts to move away from fossil fuels must cover three key areas. Retrain workers in the coal industry who will be retrenched in the process, and offer them an alternative source of livelihood. The transition, as the World Bank proposes, requires a “whole-of-society” approach. This should entail engagements with everyone who is affected to ensure that no one is left behind. Promote inclusive supply chains to enable greater participation of small, micro and medium enterprises, especially in small equipment manufacturing activities, installation, civil works, retail and maintenance. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development notes that small and medium enterprises can be important drivers of green and inclusive growth. They can be encouraged to adopt green strategies as part of their preconditions for participating in the supply chains of major firms. Enhance energy security by attracting investment into other cleaner sources of energy. For example, the European Union is considering reclassifying nuclear as part of green energy. Major countries such as France insist on “technology neutrality” to include nuclear and hydrogen in their energy mix, rather than to privilege solar and wind energy sources that do not have baseload (the amount of power made available by an energy producer). Lack of baseload compromises energy security. Renewable energy sources provide intermittent power, depending on the availability of sun or wind, whereas average demand requires consistent supply. Europe’s predicament in the wake of Russia’s war on Ukraine best illustrates this: as soon as Russia throttled Europe’s gas supply, governments rationed electricity to curb demand. Or they ramped up the demand for coal from countries such as Colombia, Australia and South Africa to ensure baseload. A wide lens As countries march towards a brave new world of green technologies, they must ensure that those left behind, and trapped at the bottom of the old industrial economy, are at the helm of the new economy. The transition to the ideal state must reflect a broad energy mix, rather than leaning on a narrow set of technologies that may not adequately offer energy security or produce just and equitable outcomes. South Africa must balance environmental concerns, socio-economic imperatives and energy security in its transition strategies. For this to be possible, the answer, according to the World Economic Forum, will probably have to be a combination of institutional capacity building, well-chosen policies and a substantial contribution by the international community — technologically as well as financially. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://mg.co.za/environment/2023-04-17-green-energy-three-key-issues-to-ensure-south-africas-transition-does-not-deepen-inequality/

SA News | 19 April 2023 Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister, Nomalungelo Gina, says government needs all key players, including ordinary South Africans to deal with challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. She was addressing small business operators who attended the business imbizo at the Sisizakele Special School at Bhambanana in Jozini, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday. Gina hosted the imbizo in partnership with the Department of Small Business Development and the provincial Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. The imbizo was attended by more than 200 SMMEs and start-ups representing a range of sectors. The main aim was to empower local business and aspirant entrepreneurs with access to information on various incentives and business support services offered by different agencies of the government. Agencies of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), and of the Small Business Development and provincial departments were represented and shared information with participants. “As much as government and big business industry players have a role to play in contributing to the creation of jobs and growth of the economy, ordinary South Africans can make a serious mark if they utilise their drive and skills to grow successful businesses,” Gina said. Gina said government is interested in seeing not only the emergence of more business operators, but ensuring that they grow in leaps and bounds to greater heights. Job creation can only be realised through the growth of SMMEs, as government we are duty bound to pay particular attention in providing necessary support, both financial and non-financial. She said one of the most important opportunities comes from the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) which has the potential to open doors for local businesses beyond South African borders and lift citizens of the continent out of poverty. “As government, we have set a challenge to all 52 districts in the country to find their niche of products and services they can take to the rest of the African continent. “We are therefore posing this challenge to this district to explore what treasures they have that they can trade in, in the continent. “As the dtic, we also have many incentives aimed at marketing South African businesses and opening export opportunities not only to the continent but to the rest of the world. So, we need our small business operators to be able to see the bigger picture as they undertake their different ventures,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/dealing-unemployment-challenges-together-dtic

Carmel Kistasamy | 19 April 2023 It is a solution that builds toward long-term sustainability. “Businesses must reconnect company success with social progress. Shared value is not social responsibility, philanthropy or even sustainability, but a new way to achieve economic success. It is not on the margin of what companies do but at the centre. We believe that it can give rise to the next major transformation of business thinking." This quote from American author and academic Michael Porter has been a guiding principle for much of the work we as a bank have done as we have embraced the world of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles throughout our business. If we look back, the term “ESG” emerged in 2005 as part of a study entitled “Who Cares Wins” conducted with private and public sector experts in conjunction with asset managers, bankers and analysts where bottom-line profits at all costs were reviewed against long-term sustainability metrics and business goals. The terms “stability” and “predictability” are particularly pertinent and underlines the importance of measuring the business value and impact of the “social” aspect of the ESG equation. As ESG has taken hold, there has been a big focus on the environmental side of the matrix, most notably in areas like green and renewable energy. The social side is more nuanced, and, in many cases, it has been relegated to citizenship and feel-good initiatives rather than a broader understanding of social impact. It is important that we don’t confuse this with charity and donations – but rather long-term corporate sustainability. The 2020 Deloitte Review article measuring the business value of corporate social impact, Beyond Social Value to Enterprise Performance, suggests measuring the business value of corporate social impact against six drivers and matching it to existing business metrics to measure the business value of social impact in ways that are comparable and consistent with other corporate considerations. The six drivers identified include: brand differentiation, talent attraction and retention, innovation, operational efficiency, risk mitigation and capital access and market valuation. By using this approach, Deloitte found that corporations can identify concrete measures around both the social and business value of each of the six drivers. ESG forms a core part of the Absa value proposition, and the bank has invested significant financial and human capital in this space. We have focused on overcoming the notion that the “S” is more of an individual project at an employee level or citizenship events – there is an imperative to bring our participation as a bank in the aspects related to social, to the forefront of how we do business. This encompasses financial inclusion, supply chain and SME support, gender equality financing, and youth empowerment. To that end, we are encouraged by the adoption both internally and externally of true ESG principles that are focused on developing solutions which will benefit the African continent immeasurably in the next 10 to 15 years. We have built some exciting initiatives and over the last five years have invested over R1.5bn via our Group Society Investment, which has benefited over 860,000 beneficiaries – particularly youth who are looking to develop professional skills and start their own small businesses. We worked on several landmark projects in the fields of green bonds, social impact bonds, healthcare and education. The pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors have been particularly proactive in developing solutions with many of our multinational clients driving initiatives in digital healthcare, testing, women-empowerment, and access to education. We believe that the right partnerships are key to unlocking Africa’s ESG investment potential but more than that to use the right drivers and measures to manage impact investment to ensure we facilitate connecting company success with social progress. Kistasamy is head of global development organisations, Pan-Africa at Absa ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/opinion/columnists/2023-04-19-carmel-kistasamy-social-impact-is-the-true-measure-of-business-success/

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Amith Singh | 18 April 2023 Building local industrial capacity for the South African market has become a priority for the Department of Trade Industry and Competition, and highlights a growing need for organisations to promote localisation within the manufacturing sector. This is a key step towards reducing unemployment, improving skills development, and enhancing local demand through high-quality services and solutions. In addition, it serves up local ingenuity and solutions to the global market as local capacity equals growth for export markets and encourages a move away from exclusive provision of raw materials. The government has had this focus in place for nearly 10 years and has, in that time, seen the development of solutions for the local market – the government has purchased 27 of these products and continues to drive this narrative in 2023. And it is an important narrative, particularly in light of the slow growth in the manufacturing sector that decreased by 2.3% in May 2022 as compared with the same time in 2021, and by 4.7% in December 2022 as compared with December 2021. These figures highlight a sector in distress, one that requires consistent investment and strategic support in order to ensure that it sees measurable growth in 2023. According to the President, localisation is a key part of economic reconstruction and recovery. This is echoed by the World Bank which pointed out that export-oriented industrialisation has failed to deliver on its economic and unemployment promise. In addition, the organisation underscored the value of driving structural transformation through the combination of localised policy development that aligns local challenges and complexities with global market demand. Ongoing global supply chain disruptions are affecting service delivery in South Africa, and actually highlight the need for the manufacturing sector to invest into localised products and services to bypass these limitations. In addition, localisation has the potential to help the sector, and the country as a whole, overcome challenges around energy, sustainability, expansion and security. To aid this shift, the financial sector needs to provide the critical advisory and support to the manufacturing sector to assist in building the industrial capacity required for a comprehensive localisation strategy. The past few years have been complex and even though South African businesses are resilient and have learned to be productive in spite of this complexity, they require robust financial support to ensure that they continue to gain moment in 2023. Says Nedbank’s National Manager Manufacturing, Amith Singh, “Nedbank has a clearly defined commitment to the manufacturing sector and in creating solutions that align with their unique needs and expectations. We know that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach with our clients and that it is important to understand the market they operate in, their off-takers, their trade partners and then provide services that sit firmly at the table with them.” Providing a strategic advisory and rich understanding ensures that Nedbank can guide manufacturers successfully down the road to localisation and help them to capitalise on its potential and the resultant growth. Concludes Singh As a result, Nedbank has developed agile funding systems and solutions that are easily tailored to what the manufacturing sector requires, offering multiple ways of looking at investment and solution development that will ignite growth and transform localisation. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/promoting-localisation-in-the-manufacturing-sector-2023-04-18/rep_id:4136

Derek Davey | 18 April 2023 There is a great demand for digital skilled employees across the board. An astounding 74% of South Africa’s youth is unemployed, while at the same time an estimated 77 000 jobs are available, but nobody has the correct skills to do them. Add to this the fact that more than 300 000 jobs have been outsourced to employees who live overseas, and it becomes clear that addressing the skills shortage in our country, particularly in the digital sector, is key to reducing our youth unemployment. This was according to Takealot Group CEO Mamongae Mahlare, who opened the proceedings in a webinar sponsored by Takealot Group, hosted by the Mail & Guardian and moderated by radio and television news anchor Thembekile Mrototo. The lively discussion tackled several issues concerning how to address the skills deficit in the digital economy, to help solve the pressing youth unemployment crisis. Mahlare said: “We are fundamentally committed to playing a role in addressing these issues, and we believe that the digital economy is a powerful way to address unemployment and create job opportunities. A key part in doing so is creating awareness about opportunities in the digital economy, and the fact that there is a broad spectrum available, for both skilled and unskilled job seekers.” The technical roles are the catalyst to creating more job opportunities, so the question becomes, how do we increase the supply of these roles in South Africa? The world is changing, so it is important that we train our youth for the jobs of the future. Nompumelelo Mokou, Managing Director of Dimension Data South Africa, said that there is a significant skills gap in the digital sector, both in South Africa and globally. Key technical skills for tomorrow are software and application development, infrastructure engineering, cybersecurity and the like. Her Saturday School started teaching STEM skills, then moved onto teaching digital and other skills such as leadership. The school equips learners with diplomas that enable them to attend university, and creates a pipeline of skills. “Africa has the youngest median age across the globe, and addressing the digital gap will create a talent hub,” said Mokou. She provided some success stories. One example is a young mother who learned the new tech and is now a sought-after programmer. Another was a young child who learned from gaming and also went on to become a programmer. “Training the youth in key skills will allow South Africa to become competitive — we have to develop a constant pipeline of these skills,” Mokou added. Chair of Business Systems Group Mteto Nyati said South Africa’s growth is down to below 2.1%, which is insufficient. Two things are driving this: one is load-shedding, and the other is the shortage of skills. Almost all industries rely on technology to operate and grow, underscoring the pressing need for digital skills. This challenge has become a crisis and must be treated as such; it is also a great opportunity that we have so many jobs available. “When I worked at Microsoft we took people off the street and within a year, with the correct training, they were able to contribute to the company,” said Nyati. “We need to see our young people differently and seek ways to liberate their potential.” SA SME Fund Investment Principle Lumka Mlambo said that the Fund was created by the government and 50 of South Africa’s largest corporations, which together contributed R1.4 billion to support entrepreneurs and small businesses. The SME Fund supports other funds and fund managers to help the South African economy to grow. It has partnered with the Gauteng government to create a debt fund of R200 million for entrepreneurs, it supports accelerators that help small businesses to scale, and it helps managers to develop investment skills. The idea is to create an ecosystem that increases digital and financial literacy. Mahlare said that there is a great demand for digital skilled employees across the board. Many young people are also starting their own businesses, which enable, for instance, transactions and logistics, not just in South Africa, but globally, as there are no borders in the digital world. Any kid with a great idea now has access to the market because of the digital age. The front end of sites like Takealot.com is the shop front, and both the front and back ends require tech skills, but the delivery team does not, which makes digital businesses accessible to skilled and unskilled individuals playing unique roles in the value chain. Nyathi said we need to bring the various stakeholders together to address the national crisis of skills development. We have seen where young people have qualifications but are completely unprepared to add value in the workplace. A standard qualification is needed, said Nyathi, so employers know that someone who has this qualification will be able to do the job required. Matching demand with the correct training is also essential. Questions from the audience What is the source of the data that says there are 77 000 jobs available in SA? Mahlare said that this data comes from reliable sources, and that many companies complain that there are jobs available, but not the people with skills for them. There is definitely a shortage of digital skills in SA. Can we access the digital market without getting the appropriate degrees? Nyathi said our education system in general does not equip learners for the workplace. We need to give people the skills they need to obtain work, and there are many organisations that do pass on these skills. There is a common interest in upskilling the youth so they can contribute. The youth must also take the initiative, and not wait for handouts. Are robotics and coding the correct paths to digitisation? Mokou replied that they can be doorways into digital skills. All companies need someone who can code to set up the systems they require. You need to be able to understand what is available on the open market in order to use it properly. “At Dimension Data our goal is to empower people to access not just local but also global markets, all the way up from the formative years of training.” Is there a link between the success of Takealot and SMEs? Mahlare said Takealot does support SMEs, which are listed on the website — over 55% of what is sold comes from SMEs. Mr D has 10 000 restaurant partners that now have access to many more customers than they had before. Takealot supports 33 000 jobs after just 11 years of operations; it supports and enables SMEs, and that in turn grows the South African economy and creates jobs. Are South Africans on board with the digital world? Nyathi said many South Africans regardless of education level know how to use mobile phones, and can take part in e-commerce because these phones are intuitive to use. The service providers have to also educate consumers so that they know, for instance, which websites are secure and can be trusted. For most young people, the digital world is second nature, but nobody can be left behind. Accessing the digital world can save money: for example, if something can be delivered, it saves having to take a taxi to fetch it, and that saved money can be used more productively. Mahlare said education about digital services must be ongoing, to overcome people’s distrust of them. Pick-up points for Takealot.com and Superbalist, for example, serve as a physical manifestation of a digital interaction. Digital services make access more equitable for consumers. Familiarity creates trust and companies must deliver on what they promise. Is there innovation happening in South Africa? Mhlambo said there is a lot of innovation going on, in many fields; for instance, South African biotechnologists are working on providing plant and meat alternatives for some retailers. Another example of local innovation is Yoco. There’s also a lot of great technologies coming out of our universities. Closing remarks Mokou said that reliable and secure data is needed to develop trust. The digital world can help us to save time and live better. Young people must become aware of digital technologies and skills and become part of the solution. Nyathi said we are nowhere close to realising our full potential, and we can’t wait for the government to catch up; as individuals and companies, we must take action. This applies especially to the digital sector, so let us continue to invest in it and develop it. Mlambo said innovation is a great disruptor. Skills development means more job creation. Mahlare said in South Africa e-commerce is only at 4% of retail, whereas in peer countries it sits at between 12% and 20%, so there are many opportunities in this sector, and there is a lot of optimism about the digital sector being able to create jobs. “The digital economy is the great equaliser — there are no constraints in terms of your age, your location or your ideas. To achieve our full potential will require entrepreneurs and great ideas, and funding, but most importantly, it will require an enabling and regulated environment to maximise the full potential of this sector and of the youth in this country.” ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://mg.co.za/partner-content/2023-04-18-addressing-the-skills-shortage-in-sa-will-reduce-youth-unemployment/

Zenande Mpame | 18 April 2023 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Manufacturing, Engineering, and Related Services Education and Training Authority (MerSETA) at the University of the Free State, South Campus, in Bloemfontein, on 17 April 2023. This signing was done by the Premier of the Free State province, Mxolisi Dukwana, at the Free State Skills Development programme. In February when the premier delivered his State of the Province Address, he said the government's partnership with different SETAs has borne incredible results. He further committed that a skills development conference will be held later in the year. “Our work with the SETAs has led to the provision of 4 389 internships, leadership, and apprenticeship opportunities for young people since 2019. “We will convene a provincial Skills Development Conference with all the SETAs during August to enhance our initiatives to maximise our skills development programmes,” he said. Addressing students at the South Campus, Dukwana said young people must be supported. In the same breath, he asked them to steer clear of destructive elements. "The youth must be encouraged to use their talents to the optimal level. However, many of them are drowning in alcohol, and that negatively affects their growth. If the youth are the future, our thinking must change. We must have a serious discussion about where we want to take this country," said Dukwana. The Free State Provincial Government has made a significant first step in tackling the problems the state is now facing, notably the skills deficit. MerSETA has pledged R300 million towards student debt which will assist approximately 1 500 students. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.ofm.co.za/article/centralsa/324324/state-of-the-province-address-pledges-come-to-life

Abey Kgotle | 17 April 2023 Mercedes-Benz South Africa is committed to enriching the world of work through its employee offerings and conditions. Mercedes-Benz South Africa is committed to advancing codes of good practice, transforming the automotive value chain, and empowering people and communities. Building the world’s most desirable cars is our core business. For over 130 years, our leading status in the automotive industry has been achieved through our people, who build the most desirable cars. As Mercedes-Benz, our employer value proposition, “Together for Excellence” encapsulates our focus on the holistic wellbeing of our employees. As an organization operating within an industry that is undergoing transformation, our general perspectives of the workplace has also shifted. Our transformation strategy has catalyzed a shift to the way in which we work, interact and engage with one another to ensure we maintain our position as a premium, global brand. In taking a holistic approach to enriching the world of work, Mercedes-Benz South Africa has embarked on various activities which are underpinned by eight people principles: Agility, Empowerment, Co-Creation, Driven to Win, Customer Orientation, Purpose-Driven, Pioneering Spirit and Learning. As a Top Employer in South Africa for the seventh consecutive year, we are committed to enriching the world of work through our employee offerings and conditions. The certification achievement reaffirms our deliberate focus of being an employer of choice and the strides we make to ensure Mercedes-Benz South Africa is a great place to work. Annually, we invest in the qualification of our employees, putting lifelong learning and continued education at the heart of the Company’s future. Between 2021 and 2022, Mercedes-Benz South Africa spent in excess of R167 million on various training programs and initiatives for its employees. The company’s development programs include: leadership development programs, technical programs, graduate development program, student internship program, disability learnerships, educational assistance program for employee children in Grade 1 – 12 and bursaries for tertiary students. Our further employee investments range from conducive working spaces in a modern 4-star green-rated building with amenities such as meditation rooms and Moms’ Room; mobile, flexible and hybrid working models; attractive remuneration packages to international career development opportunities. Various leave benefits such as Employee Volunteer leave ensure that employees who are passionate about social responsibility are afforded the opportunity to actively participate in making a difference in our communities. Employees also have onsite access to company-funded, full suite medical services, professional consultations with experts in legal and finance, gym facilities, sports clubs and subsidized canteens. A culture of respectful cooperation and appreciation based on integrity, diversity and sustainability drives our transformation strategy and influences our work internally and externally. As a global company operating locally and as responsible corporate citizens, we remain dedicated to advancing the codes of good practice within the sector, transforming the automotive value chain and empowering people and communities. Our current Level 2 BBBEE contributor certification demonstrates our commitment to not only the transformation of the company, but that of the automotive industry too. To augment our transformation efforts, Mercedes-Benz South Africa also participated in the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund (AITF) as well as the Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative, which are mandated to pioneer inclusive growth through access to market, funding and capacity development and work opportunities for young South Africans, respectively. The recognition by the Top Employer Institute strengthens our Employer Branding, is a validation of our high standards and our continued dedication to create a work environment that promotes excellence. Want to become one of us? Learn more about opportunities and programmes available at Mercedes-Benz South Africa: click here By Abey Kgotle, Executive Director of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, Mercedes-Benz South Africa ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.forbesafrica.com/brand-voice/2023/04/17/a-holistic-approach-to-enriching-the-world-of-work/

Cometh Dube-Makholwa | 17 April 2023 All the struggle heroes returned from exile with one thing in mind: social and economic transformation, an agenda that was meant to correct the injustices of the past, which was an honourable thing to do. Did it work, are things better now? Are we all happy and feel that our lives have changed for the better and therefore, we can continue with the agenda of transformation? It is a wise man that learns from their mistakes and those of others. Looking at countries that achieved independence long before us, with some of them like some Zimbabweans admitting that, since grabbing land and livestock from whites in pursuit of social and economic justice, everything is worse than before. Those who are not ashamed to tell the truth actually say South Africans were wise not to antagonise whites, which is why they can come here for better economic opportunities. So, having seen how transformation in all the areas in which it has been implemented in our country since 1994 has dismally collapsed everything, with everyone interested more in lining their own pockets than delivery of services to the people, does it make any sense to continue with this destructive agenda? ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/opinion/letters/2023-04-17-reader-letter-has-sa-transformed-after-1994/

Hein Kaiser | 17 April 2023 Residents and staff of organisations like the West Rand Assoation for Persons with Disabilities are worried as budget cuts are freewheeling them towards closure. Provincial funding for many Gauteng care homes have been slashed. Gauteng may be on the brink of one of the worst social disasters to have taken place in South Africa. And the worst is, it seems to be inflicted by the very institution charged, by the constitution, to ensure the well-being of the vulnerable: the Gauteng provincial government. Thousands of frail and vulnerable people, some with disabilities, others elderly or orphaned, may have to spend the winter on the streets as the nonprofit organisations (NPO) that have cared for them can no longer do so. Budgets have been cut. The provincial department of social development has rechannelled funding meant to care for those who cannot look after themselves to rather address drug rehabilitation, youth skills development and other loosely termed initiatives to alleviate poverty. And while social development MEC Mbali Hlophe shows off an upped social budget, some places of refuge and care have had their grants slashed by as much as 25%. Disabled persons facing an uncertain future Anneleen Rossouw of the West Rand Association for Persons with Disabilities said the 36 disabled persons housed and the organisation’s West Rand facility face an uncertain future. Overall, the centre cares for almost 2 000 people in the community with varying degrees of disability. “Right now we have no idea what we are going to do. The government has virtually handed out a death sentence to the people we care for,” she said. Rossouw said the centre’s patients would have to either be returned to their families, where conditions are usually unsuitable and there is visible, abject poverty, find a job to sustain themselves, or end up on the streets, the latter being the likely option. “Many of the people we care for may be middle aged, but they are at the intellectual development of a pre-teen. How can the government, who are constitutionally charged to take care of citizens who cannot do it for themselves, expect them to survive?” she asked. “How do you tell someone who has lived at the centre, learnt skills and eaten meals there that it is no longer affordable to take care of them?” Benoni Child Welfare shut down But the crisis does not end there. Benoni Child Welfare has already shut down and several other organisations are teetering on the brink of financial collapse. A report tabled to the portfolio committee on social development in the Gauteng provincial legislature last month unpacked the disaster that faces children in the province. Presently there are more than 125, 000 orphans in Gauteng alone. There are about 4, 300 children who reside in about 125 registered homes, of which five are known to be state run. The balance are managed by private organisations who now face massive funding cuts. The report lashes out at the government. It reads: “Thousands of children are faced with possible loss of their homes; these kids cannot merely be moved like pawns on a chess board when the state decides to close a child and youth care centre by withholding or reducing subsidy funding.” Springs and KwaThema Child Welfare permanently closed Springs and KwaThema Child Welfare issued a WhatsApp statement last week, saying it had closed its doors permanently. The message read: “[We will be closed] after over 100 years of service to the Springs community until further notice after the department of social development had cut subsidies, meaning salaries by 50%. Please direct all queries to the department of social development.” “It utterly disgusts me,” said Democratic Alliance (DA) MPL Bronwynn Engelbrecht, who along with the party’s Refiloe N’tsheke has been leading the charge in coming to the aid of the close to destitute. In many instances, social workers, a critical component of care, have been axed. An East Rand caregiver who did not want to be named said: “Homes and centres for orphans, the disabled and the elderly may end up as bed and meagre breakfast joints where hope, wellness, skills development and any other notion of a positive outcome will be impossible.” N’tsheke said: “This is going to be worse than Esidimeni. The DA has been fighting this for many years and will continue to fight, asking the Gauteng department of social development to reverse their plans to reprioritise funds. Substance abuse cannot be seen as being more important than other vulnerable groups.” No budget cuts says Hlophe But Hlophe called the DA’s accusations “lies” and insisted that there were no budget cuts. She said in a statement: “The department reiterates that the budget of R2.3 billion allocated to NPOs remains and there is no cut to the budget. Residential care services to older persons, child and youth care centres, shelters for women and those with disabilities will remain funded. “Our premier [Panyaza Lesufi] has emphatically made the point that our liberation will be meaningless if the poor and vulnerable are not economically liberated. “So they, too, may have an independent existence and their dignity is restored. “Accordingly, the work our combined departments will be embarking on food security, as an example; will entail the provision of agriculture projects within our various homes, shelters, households and community land parcels to ensure a move away from the over-reliance on food parcels but to enable individuals to produce their own food.” Les Sanabria of the Gauteng Welfare Social Services Development Forum shares Engelbrecht and N’tsheke’ s sentiments. He berated Hlophe’s plans: “She is trying to fulfil the premier’s ideal even if it means taking money from one field of service to cover another. Politicians play God with the lives of workers and beneficiaries without weighing up the consequences of their thoughtless decisions and slapdash planning.” According to Hlophe, the department has been reconfigured and priorities have changed. Yet there is a history of “defunding” NPOs before the apparent step change. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/local-news/npos-kicked-out-in-the-cold/

Bizcommunity | 17 April 2023 Image source: Kampus Production from Pexels The National Skills Fund is expected to launch a training package in digital skills for unemployed youth in the country. This was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his weekly newsletter. According to the President, the move is aimed at ensuring that as investment into the digital economy continues to grow, South Africans are able to use their skills to take advantage of employment and economic opportunities. “To boost the job creation potential of these investments, the National Skills Fund will soon launch a new model for demand-led skills development, which will provide R800m to fund training for unemployed young people in digital skills. “As we look to foster increased investment over the next five years, as the structural reform process continues to gather pace and as measures to end the energy crisis bear fruit, we will be able to further position ourselves at the forefront of the digital economy in Africa,” he said. President Ramaphosa explained that over the past five years, significant investments have been made into the country’s digital economy – a boon that is driving the country’s development. At the recent South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) alone, companies pledged at R81bn to ICT and digital services projects in the country, bringing the total amount invested specifically in ICT since the first SAIC to some R200bn. “The [SAIC]...provided a huge boost to the country’s digital economy. In addition to significant investment commitments in data and telecommunications infrastructure, there were also announcements about investments in the mining, manufacturing, energy, property, logistics and food and beverages sectors. “While all these investments contribute to economic growth and job creation, the investments in the digital economy will, in addition, propel our country into a new era of innovation and progress. Not only is the digital economy important for growth, but it is also vital to the provision of key services such as education, social services and health care. “Several recent tech surveys indicate that higher speeds and improved mobile and fibre infrastructure are helping to narrow the digital divide. This is the result of stepped-up investment in the digital economy in recent years. Faster fibre and 5G rollout makes our economy more competitive as more connectivity solutions help businesses emerge and expand,” he said. The ICT sector has seen some significant improvements over the past five years including: The Equiano subsea cable announced at the 3rd South Africa Investment Conference in 2020 was launched by Google last year. Amazon Web Services, Teraco and Dimension Data have made investment commitments of R21bn in the past five years. In 2021 Vantage Data Centers, a US-based company, announced plans to build its first African campus in Johannesburg. Africa’s Data Centre Market recently reported that South Africa is fast becoming a hub for cloud hosting. President Ramaphosa said although these developments are a boost, there are challenges, such as load shedding, that are hampering the growth of the ICT sector. “To take advantage of this inward investment and see it increase, we have to urgently resolve the electricity crisis and the theft and destruction of ICT infrastructure. These were among the issues raised by investors and mobile network operators at this year’s investment conference. We are working with business and other social partners to address these challenges and improve the operating environment. “We are also forging ahead with the structural reforms that are so critical to efforts to improve our economic competitiveness. For example, the conclusion last year of the first high-demand spectrum auction in over a decade will substantially increase connectivity and lower the costs of both voice and data services,” he said. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/536/237718.html

Ntando Thukwana | 14 April 2023 Companies will need to provide compliance certificates based on the race of employees in order to do business with the state. Picture - iStock South Africa’s newly amended employment equity bill is set to be legally challenged as trade union Solidarity and the Democratic Alliance (DA) prepare to head to court to have it overturned. The Employment Equity Amendment Bill was passed by parliament last year and signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday. It aims to advance transformation of the workforce. Under the new law, workplaces with more than 50 employees will be required to develop transformation or equity plans for their companies which are to be aligned to equity targets for economic sectors and geographical regions. Employers will also be required to submit annual reports to the Department of Employment and Labour and pay workers equal pay for equal work. A ‘significant’ development Global Business Solutions chair Jonathan Goldberg says the amendment is probably the most significant change since democracy, warning that employers who fail to comply may face disqualification from public sector tenders, fines, litigation, and other penalties. “The Employment Equity Amendment Bill comes at a time of major disruption in South Africa, including natural disasters, load shedding, poor economic growth, sporadic social unrest and protests, cyber-attacks and the like,” says Goldberg. He adds however that employers can approach it as an opportunity to attract, develop and retain the best talent by having a meaningful employee value proposition. Quota concerns Lobby group Business Unity South Africa (Busa) has welcomed the signing of the bill but raised concerns regarding the setting of equity targets and how compliance will be measured. “What concerns us is treating targets as quotas, which would be against the spirit and letter of the law,” says Busa CEO Cas Coovadia. He adds that some companies may be overly burdened with compliance as a result of the sectors in which they operate because they would have to liaise with several government departments and entities. “Companies should not be subjected to double punishment by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration [CCMA] or Labour Court and the Department of Employment and Labour for the same issue, which could lead to unnecessary litigation and derail our objective of transformed workplaces,” says Coovadia. ‘Not good’ Solidarity and the DA are vehemently opposed to the bill. On Wednesday, Solidarity said it is preparing for “major litigation”, and the DA said it would join the union’s legal fight. Solidarity claims the legislation is unconstitutional and grants draconian racial powers to the minister of Employment and Labour. “The minister can now do central racial planning at his own discretion,” says Solidarity chief executive Dr Dirk Hermann. “This would be the most drastic race manipulating legislation in the world. It is anticipated that the private sector would have to follow the state’s example. Private enterprises will become state-run racial enterprises.” The DA says the law, which requires employers to secure compliance certificates from the labour minister in order to do business with the state, will increase inefficiency and add further “unnecessary” red tape for those wanting to do business to deal with. It said in the context of the country’s 32.7% unemployment rate, the government should not be getting in the way of business. This article originally appeared on Moneyweb and was republished with permission. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.citizen.co.za/business/new-bee-bill-face-legal-hurdles/