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Membership Information

Decoration Element

Membership Overview

BUSA is a non-profit company representing cross-cutting organised business interests in South Africa. BUSA consists of approximately 48 organisational members representing Unisectoral; corporate representative organisations; chambers of commerce & industry; professional organisations ; Bi National Chambers of Commerce & industry and Associate Members. There are also 16 direct 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.

Who Do We Represent

Internationally, BUSA represents SA business in the SADC Private Sector Forum, the SADC Business Council, 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 largely focuses on influencing policy and legislative development for an enabling environment for inclusive growth and employment. BUSA operates through three standing committees: namely Energy and Environment, Economic Policy and Social Policy. Standing subcommittees include:

  • Environment
  • Energy
  • Tax
  • Trade
  • Education & Skills Development.

Both Policy Committees have a cross-cutting 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 covers. As a member-driven organisation, BUSA represents the cross-sectoral perspective of matters brought to its agenda by its collective membership.

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: To enable business to play a constructive role in ensuring an environment that promotes 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.

Fast facts about BUSA

BUSA is a confederation of:

  • Chambers of commerce and industry
  • Professional business associations
  • Corporate organisations and a Board of Trustees (direct corporate members)
  • Unisectoral organisations
  • Bi-National Chambers of commerce and industry
  • Non-Voting Associate Members

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. BUSA is the representative of Business in National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC).

BUSA represents South African business on 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, the SADC Business Council, Business at OECD (BIAC) 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).

What are the generic benefits of BUSA membership?

Essentially, participation gives-

  • Influence through the apex business body in South Africa
  • Information regarding emerging policy development, economic and social
    environment
  • Platform for networking with business organisations, government, labour and other
    key social actors
  • Being part of the business voice
  • Collaboration on cross-cutting interests within the private sector

Membership Fees, Categories, and Application Process

Membership Fees

Membership fees for Organisations of Business are calculated on the basis of 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 R94,949.89 excluding VAT in 2024. Associate membership shall pay a fee of R90,000.00 excluding VAT in 2024.

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.

Membership Categories and Eligibility

BUSA has 6 categories of Members:

  • Category A – Unisectorals
  • 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.
  • Category E – Bi-National Chambers of commerce and industry
  • Category F – Associate Members (Associate Members shall have the same rights and obligations as any other Member, with the exception of the right to vote at a Member’s Meeting)

Membership Application Process

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

Upon 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.

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