Zuma disappoints with BEE council

SOUTH African president Jacob Zuma on Thursday launched the long-awaited 19 member Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Advisory Council.

The announcement, though, got a lukewarm response from BEE practitioners.One senior BEE practitioner, who declined to be identified because of his past nomination to the council, said he was not sure whether the council appointees understood the codes of good practice which regulate the implementation of broad-based BEE.’What we have on the council is a group of people who claim to have knowledge on BEE but have done very little to empower people on the ground,’ he said.Those who were on the council were not seasoned BEE practitioners and had little or no technical know-how on BEE and broad-based BEE, he said.’The president should have appointed people who know what can be twisted and changed in the current BEE.’He cited Polo Radebe, the chief executive of Identity Partners, an investment and advisory firm, and Vuyo Jack, the executive chairman of ratings agency Empowerdex, as better choices.Paul Janisch, the chief executive of Caird Consulting, a BEE compliance firm, said the council should have had more private sector representation. ‘Remember the private sector has to implement the BEE that politicians want. It would be much easier for them to implement it if they were well represented on the council.’Spokesman in the presidency Vincent Magwenya was unavailable for comment.The council, which is mandated under the Broad-based BEE Act, will advise the government on BEE, review progress in achieving BEE and advise on codes of good practice.Among other appointees, Zuma named Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel and Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, the Minister of Women, Youth, Children and Persons with Disabilities.Zuma’s appointments surprised many observers who thought he would name only his supporters. But he named only two of his public supporters in Don Mkhwanazi, a former president of the Black Management Forum, and businessman Sandile Zungu.Cosatu president Sidumo Dlamini was also named. – Business Report

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.