We have called this briefing to introduce the new members of the broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Advisory Council to the media and the public.
The Council has been established in line with Section 4 of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003 as amended by Act 46 of 2013.
The Provincial Government is aware of the prevailing socio economic challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality in our society.
The government, and indeed many people in our province, are also not comfortable with the level of monopoly in many sectors of the economy.
The founding provisions (Freedom Charter) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa support the assertion that all people must benefit from the wealth of the province, that which is beneath the soil, on top and above the surface of our beautiful land. To this end, the government has crafted many policies and programmes to advance the people’s mandate of ensuring that the wealth of this country and the province is equitably shared by all citizens.
As stated in our Provincial Adjustments Budget on Tuesday, 21 November 2017, we have entered the second phase of the democratic transition to pursue the ideals of inclusive growth and development. Accordingly, the focus at this stage of transition is on effecting fundamental structural changes to skewed patterns of ownership, control and management of the means of production, amongst others.
The Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment legislation has therefore been enacted to give effect to this strategic posture of a government in transit towards radical socio-economic transformation, underpinned by:-
- Re-industrialisation (beneficiation, localisation, state procurement, SMME development)
- Infrastructure Development (transform co-peripheral spatial patterns, local economic development, rural and regional development).
- Enhancing Skills required by the economy, and
- Utilise the democratic state power to drive the transformation of the economy with focus on the supply side.
The Executive Council approved the Provincial Broad based Black Economic Empowerment strategy in May 2013. The strategy seeks to address economic transformation in various sectors of the economy, particularly those are that are still lagging behind in terms of transformation.
Since then, the department established a provincial working committee, and teams were constituted for various strategic initiatives that were identified to foster the objectives of the legislation and the provincial strategy.
We are acutely aware that some of the transgressions of this legislation takes place at the local level, hence the need to strengthen our capacity and mechanisms to encourage and, as a last resort, enforce adherence to empowerment prescripts. The BBBEE Advisory Council will be chaired by the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, and will amongst others
- advise government on black economic empowerment;
- make informed inputs to policy and legislation that will create an enabling environment for transformation to happen in Mpumalanga Province;
- review progress in achieving black economic empowerment;
- advise and make inputs on the development, amendment or replacement of the strategy for broad-based black economic empowerment
- advise on implementation of all transformation charters ; and
- facilitate partnership between organs of state and private sector that will advance the objective of the Act.
The members of the Council have been selected in line with paragraph 7.2 of the Constitution of this body, which states
In appointing the additional members set out in clause 7.1(d) above, the MEC shall have regards to the needs of the Council:
- to have appropriate expertise;
- to represent different relevant constituencies, including trade unions, business, community-based organisations and academics.
- In addition, the MEC shall follow an appropriate consultative process.
The name of the members are as follows:
- Mr Muzi Mkhize (HOD: DEDT)
- Ms Immy Serakalala (DEDT) - Secretariat
- Mr Ben Nkambule (Advisor to the Premier)
- Mr Xola Sithole (MEGA)
- Mr Thabo Mokoena (COSATU)
- Ms Mpho Lethoko (SAPPI)
- Mr Amukelani Hlaisi (SASOL)
- Mr Thabo Masoane (RCL Foods)
- Mr Derek van Niekerk (RCL Foods)
- Mr Sydney Kunene (NAFCOC)
- Mr Victor Mashego (Youth Chamber)
- Ms Nomhle Tshaba Nyumba (SAWIC)
- Mr Oupa Pilane (LCBT)
- Mr Musi Sikhosana(PPF)
- Mr Manase Mathabathe( Eskom)
On behalf of the Premier of Mpumalanga, Mr DD Mabuza and the Executive Council, I would like to thank all members who availed themselves to execute this critical transformative task on behalf of the people of Mpumalanga.