In this newsletter
Message from the CEO 
BUSA CEO Jerry Vilakazi
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A warm welcome to the BUSA newsletter, Bulletin. I am confident that you
will find our latest edition insightful and informative; giving you up-to-date news on BUSA.
It is also with great pleasure that I announce the official launch of the revamped BUSA
’s web site www.busa.org.za which went live on 17 September 2007. Please ensure that you browse
around – feedback and recommendations are appreciated.
I would like to focus your attention to the following important issues which also
enjoyed considerable media coverage over the last few months.
Recently the Employment Equity Commission released its annual report on the state of
transformation in the workplace. This report presented a grim picture; basically indicating that
little progress was being made to implement the provisions of the Employment Equity Act.
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Flowing from this, the Portfolio Committee on Labour
held hearings on “Discrimination in the Workplace”. BUSA did not take a defensive position,
but rather showed that there was transformation taking place in some sectors, but that there were
challenges in terms of increasing the pace in some sectors and companies. BUSA once more committed the
business community to the provisions of the Employment Equity Act.
As BUSA we also had the time to engage with the BBBEE report as
presented to the President of the Republic of South Africa, by the Black Business Working Group. BUSA is
convinced that there are sectors that are making serious progress in terms of BBBEE, and would work with
those that still have challenges to ensure meaningful economic transformation.
The Transformation Awards that we are in inaugurating in 2008 are one such
commitment by the business community to celebrate existing best practice while also creating the platform
for companies and sectors still grappling with the challenge to learn from others.
BUSA is also pleased to report that more and more opportunities to engage with key Ministers. In the
last few months, we have managed to engaged with the following Ministers and Deputy Minister: |
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- Minister of Education: HE Naledi Pandor
- Minister of Public Enterprises: HE Alec Erwin
- Minister of Transport: HE Jeff Radebe
- Minister of Labour: HE Membathisi Mdladlana
- Minister of Safety and Security:
HE Charles Nqakula
- Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry:
HE Dr Rob Davies
In addition to these engagements, BUSA has managed to establish a vast network of Senior Government
Leaders from Chief Directors, Deputy Directors-General and Directors-General from the key departments of
National Treasury, Trade and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Transport, Safety and Security, The Presidency,
etc
BUSA has continued to play a key role at NEDLAC and other strategic areas, and will continue to do so
to ensure that your voice becomes even more stronger in policy formulation, legislative reform and other
areas relating to a healthy environment for business.
I trust you will find our newsletter a worthwhile read. Thank you for your support and commitment to
BUSA.
Jerry Vilakazi
Chief Executive Officer
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Government & Stakeholder Engagement
Meeting with Minister of Safety and Security
BUSA hosted an illuminating engagement session with the Minister of Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula on
03 October 2008. The issues of safety and security are of major concern to the business community.
![[picture: meeting with the Minister of Safety &
Security]](images/nqakula_meeting.jpg)
The Minister welcomed the opportunity to speak to South African business, as it is a key player in the
struggle against crime.
He discussed a number of initiatives aimed at combating crime in South Africa. Amongst the key ones are the
following:
- Recruitment of 100 000 police reservists. The reservists will have to be entrenched and possess a
clear knowledge and understanding of the communities they come from. This will assist in terms of
providing immediate and reliable “community intelligence”
- Improving the technological capacity of the SAPS to ensure, amongst others, effective and efficient use
of police personnel and vehicles, as well as ensuring better turn around times in responding to crime reports
- Commitment to training and capacity building of SAPS, especially in the areas of intelligence gathering
and evidence gathering (Investigation)
The Minister furthermore underscored the importance of seeing the fight against crime in an integrated and
holistic manner, straddling such areas as moral regeneration, economic opportunity, community intelligence,
police capacity, etc.
BUSA re-iterated its commitment to partnering with government to enhance the capacity of South Africa to
deal with the scourge of crime
Meeting with Minister of Labour
A meeting will be held with the Minister of Labour, Membathisi Mdladlana at BUSA on 12 October 2007. The
areas for discussion include:
- Restructuring of the SETAs,
- National Skills Authority
- Employment Equity monitoring
- Labour Law Review Processes
- Employment Services System.
Meeting with the ANC Economic Transformation Committee
An engagement session was held with the Deputy Minister of Finance, and member of the ANC’s Economic
Transformation Committee, Mr Jabu Moleketi, to appraise the business community on the economic direction that
the country will likely take with the ANC after its National Conference in December 2007.
The meeting was attended by top CEOs and Executives of big companies from the country.
BUSA Presidential Working Group
The next BUSA Presidential Working Group takes place on 26 October 2007. The Working Group meetings with
the President are aimed at providing strategic solutions to the challenges facing the country. It will be
important to deliver on this objective.
BUSA is in the process of formulating key issues to discuss with the President, and these will be
communicated in due course.
Social Policy: Current Issues
HIV AND AIDS
The National Strategic Plan (NSP) on HIV and AIDS was launched by Government. Business is considering
the business contribution towards the rollout of the NSP. A private sector strategy is in the process
of being finalised.
JIPSA
A Marshall Plan was tabled at the TWG meeting. The Marshall Plan had serious structural problems
and had to be redrafted. The second draft of the Marshall Plan would be tabled.
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The Artisan Development Framework document will be circulated
for public comment. It was agreed that N courses will be phased out. Furthermore,
BUSA will have to comment on the Learning pathways.
NATIONAL SKILLS CONFERENCE
The National Skills Conference is scheduled for 18/19 October 2007. Thirty five business
representatives will attend the conference. Four discussion papers on the first economy, second
economy, scarce and critical skills and funding were circulated to members. BUSA will respond to the
above at the conference.
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NEDLAC Report
PREFERENTIAL PROCUREMENT FOR SMES
NEDLAC has requested Government to furnish the list of ten products and or goods or services that will be
ring fenced for SMME development. Government has indicated that it is awaiting approval and cabinet
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ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE GDS
It was agreed that NEDLAC should conduct an overall assessment of progress on the GDS initiatives.
It was agreed that one of the Executive Council meetings in 2008 be designated for the GDS Review as the
topic for the focus session. The draft terms of reference for a comprehensive review of the GDS are
in the process of being developed.
BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SCHOOLS
Government called on all of the social partners, the community constituency in particular, to assist in
identifying schools that are still without basic infrastructure. This matter has been placed on the
agenda of the development chamber for follow up.
PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETING COUNCIL
It was agreed that the PSA campaign should develop proposals on building strategic links with the IMC.
SUPERIOR COURTS BILL
A NEDLAC technical team has finalised proposals on how to address concerns that have been raised on the
Superior Courts Bill. The draft has been sent to the NEDLAC principles for comment.
NEDLAC is simultaneously liaising with the office of the Minister of Justice with respect to a follow up
meeting with the Minister.
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NEDLAC REVIEW
The NEDLAC Review report has been tabled at NEDLAC and the NEDLAC Review Steering Committee is currently
deliberating the Reports. BUSA is engaging the process and coming up with key proposals, including, but
not exclusively such as issues as:
- The positioning of NEDLAC within Government.
- The relationship between NEDALC and Parliament
- Administration of NEDLAC
- Role of the Community Constituency
- NEDLAC Budget
2010 FIFA World Cup Framework
A NEDLAC Task Team has finalised a Draft Framework Agreement on the 2010 Fifa World Cup. The
intention is to have the draft agreement submitted to the respective constituencies for input/mandating
but prior to doing so input is being awaited from the Local Organising Committee as they together with
the NEDLAC constituencies are to sign the agreement once consensus has been reached on the content.
SOCIAL SECURITY AND RETIREMENT REFORM
A NEDLAC Task Team has been constituted, however owing to outstanding information
on the Retirement funds reforms and the state of readiness from the government position on social
security, the pace of engagements have slowed.
It was agreed that NEDLAC would commence deliberations on the matter notwithstanding the lack of a
coordinated position from government. Furthermore it has been agreed to request the ILO to review
current documentation on the matter and to provide a high level opinion to NEDLAC within the context of
social security policies of the ILO.
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Trade Policy
IBSA Business Council
The IBSA business council meeting will be held from 15 to 17 October 2007.
Seven key sectors have been identified: ICT; energy and climate change; infrastructure and logistics;
mining; financial services agriculture and food processing; and health care and pharmaceuticals.
The South Africa – Germany Business Roundtable
The South Africa – Germany Business Roundtable took place at the Sheraton Hotel on Friday 5 October
2007. Germany is one of South Africa’s most important trading partners. It is currently the third most
important destination for our exports and the largest provider of imports.
It was attended by President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany.
The Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa, Mr Mandisi Mpahlwa, Honourable Minister
Wieczoreck-Zeul (viszoreck-zoul) of Economic Cooperation for Germany,BUSA President Mr Patrice Motsepe as well
as senior business leaders from the two countries.
The Roundtable resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the business communities of
the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of South Africa.
SADC- EU EPA
Discussions were held with South Africa’s Chief Negotiator for the SADC-EU Economic Partnership
Agreement at 14 August NEDLAC meeting. NEDLAC will be hosting an EPA conference in November. Position
papers on the SADC private sector are being finalised and will be made available in due course.
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Transformation Policy
BBBEE Roadshows & Guides
The Road Shows will be properly planned to ensure that they assist with the process of transformation, and
that they should reach key decision-makers. Industry bodies and local chambers will be used to ensure that the
Road show inputs have sectoral relevance.
Furthermore, BUSA has commissioned an expert to develop BBBEE guides to assist the business community with
unpacking the BBBEE.
BUSA Transformation Awards
As part of BUSA’s commitment to transformation, the BUSA Transformation Awards shall be inaugurated
in September 2008. The Awards will celebrate good practice, and assist with galvanising industries and
companies that, to date, have been slow to implement transformation initiatives.
The Adjudication Panel will be made up of independent experts. back to top
Economic Policy
ASGI-SA
Initial meeting with Head of PPP Unit at Treasury to be held in November to establish a working
relationship between BUSA and the PPP Unit. This will assist our members with proper conceptualisation of the
PPP concept from the business point of view.
Competition Policy
BUSA is currently arranging for further interaction with the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) on the
Competition Bill. We are also doing further investigation into the application of Competition Law in
other jurisdictions, basing our efforts on lessons learnt by other countries.
BUSA has formulated a Draft Position Paper that will go for the mandating process.
Corporate Taxes
The Terms of Reference on Corporate Taxes have been finalised. It is expected that our research team
will conclude its study by June 2008. We are commissioning a Joint Study, led by BUSA, between BUSA, SARS and
National Treasury.
Social Security and Retirement Fund Reform
BUSA has established a task group, following government’s announcement to reform the social security
and the retirement fund industry. This is an important piece of legislation that will change the character of
our political economy drastically. back to top
Upcoming Events
- 12 October 2007, 10:00-12:00 - Minister of Labour
- 15-17 October – IBSA Summit.
- BUSA Presidential Working Group back to top
For newsletter communications contact
Mr Keabetswe Modimoeng
Business Unity South Africa
Tel: 011 784 8000 Fax: 011 784 8004 Email:
keabetswe.modimoeng@busa.org.za
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