ANDILE KHUMALO: Smoke and mirrors of BEE targets
Loopholes in key amendments put transformation objectives at risk, writes Andile Khumalo
Another week and yet another set of amended broad-based BEE codes for a vital sector in untransformed South Africa. On Tuesday, amid much fanfare, Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services Siyabonga Cwele launched the Amended BBBEE ICT Sector Code. In terms of the charter, the ICT sector comprises broadcasting, electronics, information technology and telecommunications subsectors. The ICT sector has selected ownership, skills development and enterprise supplier development as priority elements and attached a minimum target of 40% of the total target in each element. The target for the ownership element has been increased to 30% (25% in the generic codes). However, targets ought to be celebrated only when they are achieved, not when they are consistently missed. In its Sector Monitoring Report, which outlines the status of the implementation of BBBEE in the ICT sector, the industry admits it has failed to meet its own targets. "The report reflects the transformation efforts ...
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