Category: Member Communication

Updated BUSA position on BIG

Intellidex – What funding options for BIG are possible – final

Dear Members and Colleagues

During the past 10 days or so, South Africa joined over 70 countries in reporting cases of COVID-19.

COVID-19, as it has been termed by the WHO (World Health Organization) is having significant Public Health & Economic consequences globally and is a complex issue that BUSA is carefully monitoring. The virus was declared an epidemic by WHO on 11 March 2020. The purpose of this communication is to advise our members of some of the actions we’re taking as South Africa’s Apex Business organization.

1. ABOUT COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that was first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province in China at the end of December 2019. The virus has spread throughout China and other countries, with China, South Korea, Italy and Iran being amongst the most impacted countries. It is encouraging to note that reported cases in China, the epicenter of the global health emergency, have declined sharply in the past 2 weeks, indicating that containment measures, if successfully executed, are effective.

2. HOW DOES IT PRESENT?

Symptoms are like those of seasonal flu, including fever, shortness of breath and a characteristic dry cough. Should member employees or patients present with suspected symptoms, it is advised that you seek immediate medical attention and cease working from your center, and only return to the workplace if medically advised to do so.

3. HOW IS THE VIRUS TRANSMITTED?

COVID-19 is a contagious virus and spreads at 1.5 to 2 times the rate of seasonal flu. It is spread through: • The air by coughing and sneezing • Close personal contact such as shaking hands • Touching an object or surface with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing or sanitizing your hands.

4. HOW DANGEROUS IS THE VIRUS?

In most instances the virus presents as a mild to moderate condition, with most patients recovering in the normal course without complication. In those countries

that it has presented thus far, a small group of so called “vulnerable” patients i.e. those with compromised immune systems, the elderly and those with other underlying conditions, may develop secondary infections and other complications.

5. FACTS ABOUT THE VIRUS AND SHOULD WE BE PANICKING?

Thus far, in the 3.5months since the first reported case, approximately 120 000 people have been infected, out of a global population of over 7 billion. There have been approximately 4 000 deaths, which is a mortality rate of approximately 3%, mainly in the elderly, vulnerable category described above. At last count, there were 7 reported cases in our country, all imported cases as these patients acquired the infection whilst still abroad and then travelled into South Africa. At this point, given the low level of incidence in our country, there is no need to panic and the best approach is for Companies and their employees to follow the basic measures to avoid contracting the virus. Containment is the best way of dealing with this public health crisis. This will also contribute to enabling an earlier economic recovery.

6. HOW TO MINIMIZE THE INFECTION RISK?

• Wash your hands frequently with an alcohol – based hand sanitizer or soap. • Avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow when you sneeze or cough. • Avoid handshakes • Ensure surfaces are kept clean • Follow various travel guidance notices

7. AIR TRAVEL

South Africa has not yet instituted any travel bans or restriction of foreigners visiting our country. Guests entering our Airports are tested. Whilst individual companies are following their own travel guidance, travel to high risk countries such as China and Italy is not recommended.

Employees who have returned from an area where COVID-19 is spreading should monitor their symptoms for 14 days and take their temperature twice a day.

8. WHAT IS BUSA DOING?

At its recent Board meeting, the BUSA Board resolved to act with urgency on the following: • Given the significant misinformation and fake news that exists on COVID19, to ensure we disseminate factual and accurate information, so that companies can take informed decisions. • Allay panic, which creates further market uncertainty

• Work closely with National Department of Health to support the distribution of Key messaging and factual information. • Encourage member companies and organizations to help distribute and/or place NDOH messages and posters up in their companies, workstations etc.

To this end, the NDOH has made available very useful material, specifically developed for the workplace, which member companies can use to put up and distribute to employees.

This can be accessed from the following shared link.

https://we.tl/t-KEt4ISBxAk

We encourage you to use this immediately, as it is an important and critical element to successfully contain the virus and ensure public health facilities and help lines are not unnecessarily clogged up.

• We will be meeting with the Minister of Health and his team, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the SA WHO Representative next week to see how we can further collaborate to contain the outbreak • We are in contact with our member companies / organizations that supply critical goods and services such as Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices and will flag any concerns during this period whilst supply chains remain vulnerable. Given the high infection rates of HIV and TB in our country, potentially both vulnerable groups, ensuring the security of supply of HIV (ARV) and TB medicines is critical to preventing the domestic spread of the virus. At this point there are no Red flags. • We will continue to update members on an ongoing basis.

9. ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

BUSA remains vigilant around the Economic and Business risks that the virus presents to the South African Economy, particularly off the back of the recent disappointing last quarter GDP numbers. The COVID-19 outbreak could not have come at a worse time for both global and South African markets.

We are therefore of the view that in these difficult and complex times, opportunities present in particular for our country to use this crisis to develop further Policy certainty (that will hasten recovery and boost confidence), to fix our energy mix and to use vulnerable global supply chains to build further domestic capacity,

particularly in manufacturing, with a view to ensuring current and future strategic stockpiles when market uncertainties present.

Lastly, as we navigate this outbreak and its potential public health and economic impacts, we use this opportunity to call for leadership and ongoing vigilance to contain the outbreak, as the best way to ensure early economic recovery and mitigation of the Public Health impact, not least on our already overburdened health facilities.

Yours Sincerely

Cas Coovadia Chief Executive Officer

Dear Members and Colleagues

 

I wish to let you know that I have stepped down as BUSA CEO. With the sixth administration now in place, having achieved most of what I set out to do when taking on the role, and a few months short of my contract coming to an end, it was an opportune time for me to move on.

 

I wish to thank you for the confidence you have placed in me to serve in this role. Your input and support and, in many instances, friendship carried me through the rough parts. This was especially the case when it comes to those of you who spent long hours with me in Nedlac. Together, we worked on the National Minimum Wage and Labour Relations Stability negotiations; and the Jobs Summit and Presidential Health Summit processes, as well as on the development of many policy positions on behalf of business. It was enriching and fulfilling to be part of historic processes that are meant to bring about meaningful change for the country. I will also fondly remember the incredible support from Members at the inaugural Business Economic Indaba at the start of the year.

 

Running a business member organisation, as many of you know, has its challenges, but some things are certain – circumstances are constantly changing, things are always interesting, and it is the individuals that you connect with along the way that carry you through.

 

Being the BUSA CEO has been a truly remarkable experience. I have learned so much, engaged with so many diverse and talented people and am so much richer for it. It has been an honor to serve BUSA during this juncture in our country’s history. I hope that the organisation will continue to prosper as the apex business organisation, along with its members, and that this is reflected in the SA economy going forward.

 

To the BUSA team, thank you for your dedication to the organisation through your tireless daily efforts and for meeting the increasing demands. You have all made me proud and I wish you well in this next chapter. It was a pleasure working with all of you, most times pushing through near impossible deadlines, but your collective dedication and passion carried us all through.

 

The Board will take over the reins and identify a new CEO, and steer BUSA from here. In the meantime Cas Coovadia will serve as a point of contact.

 

Fond regards and well wishes

 

Tanya

Dear Members & Colleagues

 

The message below bears reference. The Presidency has advised that the Cabinet Lekgotla has now been extended to 14 June 2019, and accordingly they will need to identify another date for the meeting with Business.

 

To those of you that have already responded, thank you – Nomaza Spelman will keep your details on record. As soon as we are advised of the new date, we will let you know.

Dear Members & Colleagues

 

Pursuant to the post-election approach taken by BUSA, business has been invited by President Ramaphosa to attend a pre-SONA engagement, scheduled as follows:

 

14 June 2019

10h00

Pretoria

 

A total of 60 seats have been allocated to BUSA in this regard. Members are accordingly invited to nominate one participant per member to attend this meeting. Participants should be leaders in their organisations. Given participation number constraints, BUSA board members will receive first preference, after which participation on a first come, first served basis will apply.

 

Please will members submit the names, email address and ID numbers of their nominated participant by 14h00 Friday, 7 June 2019 in order for BUSA to attend to the necessary protocol arrangements.

 

To avoid disappointment, RSVPs to be sent only to:  Nomaza.Spelman@busa.org.za

Dear Members and Colleagues

Please note the following matters for your information and attention.

1. BUSA Board Appointments

A warm welcome to Maurice Radebe of Sasol, who replaces Maria Ramos on the BUSA Board, and Ayanda Mngadi, of the Manufacturing Circle who takes over as an alternate board member. These appointments follow a nomination and voting process by the Corporate Category.

2. Draft BBC-BUSA Cooperation Framework

As reported previously, a 4-aside team has been engaging in this regard and a cooperation framework agreement has been drafted under the broad objective of “Working towards a unified voice of business to deliver inclusive growth and socio-economic transformation” with a focus on the following areas:
• The National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) participation;
• Collaborative platforms;
• Key economic focus areas; and
• Other areas of mutual interest.

In the text, BUSA is recognized as the apex organisation, and BBC as the over-arching confederation representing black professionals, business associations and chambers.

The text further agrees to a code of conduct; a communication and reporting protocol; collaboration platforms (BBC Black Business Summit; Business Economic Indaba; Investment Summit and Business forums) and areas of collaboration, including:
• NEDLAC and all its structures;
• Overall NEDLAC participation including the International Labour Organisation (ILO);
• And other engagements and forums resulting from the NEDLAC process.

Key economic focus areas under the text include:
1. B-BBEE and Socio-Economic Transformation
2. SME Development
3. Infrastructure Development
4. 4IR

The framework will be implemented through the 4-aside Steering Committee with a working group on each of the four economic focus areas.

Any member wishing to see a copy of the full draft document may obtain same from Nomaza.Spelman@busa.org.za . Any feedback can be sent to Tanya.Cohen@busa.org.za by no later than Friday, 24 May 2019.

3. NEDLAC Review

As we move into the sixth administration, the role of Nedlac in influencing policy and to facilitate compacting, is pivotal. Members of policy committees and the Board have correctly raised concerns as to whether Nedlac is appropriately structured and capacitated to perform its intended role. In this regard, there are a number of processes underway including:
• Meeting with the acting executive management at Nedlac to address immediate concerns
• Actively driving strategic processes within Nedlac e.g. on energy and finance
• Participating in the Nedlac governance task team that is looking at the principles and governance documents with a view to identifying areas that may require legislative or constitutional amendment.
• Raising our concerns within Government, labour and community constituencies.

In order to ensure that we appropriately reflect the views of members, we will be establishing a small Nedlac working group. BUSA members, particularly those already engaged in Nedlac, that would like to be more involved and give input in this regard are requested to notify Nomaza.Spelman@busa.org.za by Wednesday, 22 May 2019.