For a high level of compliance with the revised B-BBEE codes to be achieved, there has to be a high level of buy-in from various organisations. However, the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) might face the problems in ensuring that companies toe the line, if findings of A Transform SA Online telephonic survey of ten companies in the mining sector supply chain are anything to go by.
The ten companies – five blue chip and five other medium sized – concurred with that transformation is morally right, but disagreed with being forced to find a ‘black’ partner. Their borne of contention was finding the calibre of someone with passion in the specific sector they trade in.
Views of one captured the general sentiment of all: “This business has been built over three generations. It was formed by my great grandfather during the gold rush in 1890 and I won’t allow a situation where I have to bring someone who does not understand the philosophy governing my company just to impress politicians.
“You don’t want to bring in someone who will be playing golf for 6 hours everyday and collecting dividends he has not worked for at the end of the financial year.”
Another one recounted an agonising experience with a former BEE partner he fell out with who demanded I million Rand to buy top of the range cars ‘befitting a boss’.
It is an obvious fact that white owned businesses will not freely open up to BEE. Forced BEE marriages, although not desirable, are necessary. Of course, the PDIs must study the industry and the business they seek to get involved in, and how they will add value to the empowered entity.
There is no use wanting freebies when us as Black people do not feel the urge to perform and make a positive contribution to the growth and further entrenching the empowered business for future generations.
It is an obvious fact that white owned businesses will not freely open up to BEE. Forced BEE marriages, although not desirable, are necessary. Of course, the PDIs must study the industry and the business they seek to get involved in, and how they will add value to the empowered entity.
There is no use wanting freebies when us as Black people do not feel the urge to perform and make a positive contribution to the growth and further entrenching the empowered business for future generations.
spot on mate!I entirely agree with you.