Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) was formed in October 2003 and began operating in January 2004. This created the first representative and unified organisation for business in South Africa. Today, through its extensive membership base, BUSA represents the private sector being the largest federation of business organisations in terms of GDP and employment contribution.

BUSA is a non-profit company representing cross-cutting organised business interests in South Africa. BUSA consists of approximately 35 organisational members representing unisectorals; corporate representative organisations; chambers of commerce & industry; and professional organisations. There are also 22 corporate members constituting a Board of Trustees.

As the apex organised business entity representing South African business, BUSA is the formally recognised representative of Business at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC). At NEDLAC, business interacts with various government departments, organised labour and the community constituency across a variety of NEDLAC structures. BUSA also represents business on bilateral processes and in the Presidential Business Working Groups. BUSA and many of its members participate in the CEO Initiative. BUSA serves as a social partner in the national policy development and social dialogue process, and nominates representatives to sit on statutory and advisory bodies on behalf of business. Through BUSA, members are able to participate in cross-cutting issues of interest to all of business.

Internationally, BUSA represents SA business in the SADC Private Sector Forum, the BRICS Business Council, Business Africa, B20 and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE). Through the BUSA network, members have access to participate in these regional and international fora.

BUSA’s work is largely focused around influencing policy and legislative development for an enabling environment for inclusive growth and employment. BUSA operates through two standing committees: namely Economic & Trade Policy and Social Policy. Subcommittees of the Economic & Trade Policy Committee include subcommittees on the Environment; Energy; Tax; and Trade, Transport & Logistics. The Social Policy standing committee has a subcommittee dealing with education & skills development. Both Policy Committees have a focus on transformation, small business, as well as regulatory certainty and impact. This however does not constitute an exhaustive list of policy priority areas that BUSA is currently engaged in. As a member-driven organisation, BUSA represents the cross-sectoral perspective of matters brought to its agenda by its members.

BUSA’s Vision is to be the unified voice of business which serves to keep business interests at the heart of economic and socio-economic policy.

BUSA’s Mission is as follows: BUSA aims to ensure that organised business plays a constructive role in ensuring an economic and socio-economic environment conducive to inclusive economic growth, development and economic transformation. Such an environment is critical for businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to thrive, expand and be competitive both domestically and internationally.

BUSA is a confederation of:

• chambers of commerce and industry
• professional business associations
• corporate organisations
• unisectoral organisations

BUSA is the principal representative of business in South Africa, representing the views of its members in a number of national structures and bodies, both statutory and non-statutory, the organisation also represents business’ interests in the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC).

BUSA represents South African business on a macro-economic and high-level issues that affect business at both national and international levels. BUSA’s function is to ensure that business plays a constructive role in the country’s economic growth, development and transformation and to create an environment in which businesses of all sizes, and in all sectors, can thrive, expand and be competitive.

Internationally, a member of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Employers’ Group, as well as being the official representative organisation of business at the International Labour Organisation (ILO), African Union (AU) Social Affairs Commission and World Trade Organisation (WTO) and a member of Business at OECD (BIAC).

Essentially, participation gives-

• Influence
• Information
• Networking
• Being part of the business voice

Membership Fees

Membership fees for Organisations of Business are calculated based on up to a maximum of 5% of each Member’s annual membership revenue, provided that each Member shall pay a minimum Membership Fee of no less than R90 428.47 excluding VAT in 2022.

Membership fees are subject to at least an annual inflationary related increase as determined by the Board in line with the BUSA Memorandum of Incorporation.

strong>Membership Categories and Eligibility

BUSA has 4 categories of Members:

• Category A – Unisectoral
• Category B – Corporate Organisations (note, other than existing Board of Trustee Members, BUSA does not accept direct company membership in terms of its founding documents)
• Category C – Chambers of Commerce and Industry
• Category D – Professionals Business Organisations.

Membership Application Process

New members should complete the Application Form and supply the relevant information to Zelda.Setladi@busa.org.za who can also be contacted on 011 784 8000.

On receipt of the Application Form and supporting documentation, it will be submitted to the Board for consideration. The whole process should take less than 3 weeks to conclude.