PORTFOLIO OF BLACK BUSINESS IN SOUTH AFRICA

It is over 16 years since the agenda on transformation took centre stage in thecountry. One of the areas that came under strict scrutiny as part of transformation was the issue of economic empowerment of the black majority. While this has happened somewhat, it nevertheless fell short of meeting the objectives and vision of the government: that of spreading wealth to a broader audience of the country’s population.

The shift towards Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) means that not only the perceived politically aligned elite will benefit from the policy, but that government wants to ensure that every citizen has an equal chance of getting a slice of the country’s riches. It is this broad-based government led programme that PORTFOLIO OF BLACK BUSINESS IN SOUTH AFRICA publication is anchored upon.

Amongst other pertinent issues, the publication:

• Assesses the extent of the implementation of the BBBEE by the private sector
• Profile the sectors that have warmed up to BBBEE
• Take a closer look at the sectorial charters and the extent of their implementation.
• Give credit to those stakeholders who are complying with the BBBEE requirements
• Give prominence to the leading “self-made” black businesses in each sector
  
  The first issue of PORTFOLIO OF BLACK BUSINESS IN SOUTH AFRICA publication was produced in 1990. Former President of South Africa, Dr Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela wrote the Foreword thereof. Other leading personalities who contributed forewords to the previous issues include, amongst others, Mr Edward V K Jaycox - Former Vice President of the World Bank: Africa Regions and Mr Thabo Mbeki - then Executive Deputy President.
  The need for an honest, independent, impartial and professionally assembled annual publication on the status, strides and achievements or lack thereof of the black business sector, its enterprises and individuals is greater than ever before.

PORTFOLIO OF MUNICIPALITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA

The institution of local government in South Africa is in third decade of democracy. This period marks the beginning of modernization and efficient delivery of services. The last two decades brought about the rationalization of municipalities from 1200 to 284, establishment of additional municipalities where none existed before, improvement in some local government systems and increased autonomy of municipalities and their financing mechanisms.

However, municipalities are still faced with the challenge of extending to all people the fundamental benefits of basic water supply and sanitation, electricity and housing, etc. Indeed, are the municipalities offering South Africans in all walks of life the prospects of greater security and opportunity? What is the nature and extent of the job creation and investment opportunities at local government level?

In addition to the municipalities mandated issues such as water, sanitation, etc; PORTFOLIO OF MUNICIPALITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA publication evaluates whether the municipalities programmes and strategies are contributing to the development of a buoyant economy, generating greater revenues and sufficient leeway for a more efficient delivery of services and facilities. The publication also focuses on specific deliverables at municipal level such as the available investment opportunities at local government level. The progress, achievements and challenges of some of the major intervention programmes and activities such as Project Consolidate receive extensive coverage.

The first issue of PORTFOLIO OF MUNICIPALITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA publication was published in 2004. The need for a credible, informative and authoritative publication on the municipalities’ service delivery challenges and achievements in any developing country like South Africa is an everlasting one.

PORTFOLIO OF SOUTH AFRICA

Portfolio of South Africa publication was first published in 1995. As the launch edition of the publication, its primary objective then was to introduce the new democratic leadership to the South African public. Essentially, that edition focused almost entirely on profiling the characters making up the government of the day: who they were, their backgrounds, and also contrasted the leaders’ backgrounds with the tasks that each ministry demanded of the incumbent leader.

Former President Nelson Mandela presided over the launch of the publication at the BMW Pavilion in Cape Town. The gala event was attended by most of the cabinet of the time, and about 300 heads of Corporate South Africa who by their attendance, gave an overwhelming voice of approval for the role that the publication had set itself to play in the socio-political and economic milieu of the country.

The follow-up edition of the publication in 1996 focused more on the changes that were due to take place at the various ministerial departments. The edition interrogated the envisaged policy changes as against what was there: how were these changes to affect the running of government?

The 1999 edition assessed the performance of the new democratic leadership in their first five-year term at the helm of a semi-First World Economy such as that of South Africa. It also evaluated the actual impact of the changes that had been introduced. How were these received by the various stakeholders, what adjustments were required to ensure a smooth changeover, etc?

The future editions of Portfolio of South Africa publication will, amongst others, give a historical overview of the journey travelled by the country’s democratic rule, with specific reference to the various socio-political and economic programmes that have been adopted by government over the last period.

Each government department will be afforded an opportunity to spell out its specific programme in relation to fulfilling government’s vision of a shared future and economic benefit. Similarly, and perhaps most importantly, the publication will evaluate, present and showcase the policies and programmes of government at national level in terms of their integratedness, effectiveness and adherence to the set government goals of job creation and poverty alleviation; economic growth and investment promotion; and broad-based black economic empowerment.

PORTFOLIO OF MINING & ENERGY IN AFRICA

From Cape to Cairo; are the mining and energy resources in Africa truly like diamonds which are forever? Are the African mining and energy companies ready, able and willing to develop these resources to the fullest? It is precisely these critical areas which Portfolio of Mining & Energy in Africa is addressing. More specifically, the focus of the publication is to examine and showcase the nature and extent of:

• The socio-political and economic factors relating to the development of the minerals and energy resources in the continent
• The capacity of the African companies to develop the available resources in the continent even further
• The existence of a network of suppliers and service providers to the mining and energy sectors in the continent
• The mining and energy companies’ adherence to their respective countries’ regulations, guidelines and charters

A lot still needs to be done in growing the mining and energy outputs in the African continent; promoting further beneficiation efforts; ensuring the quality and broad based nature of the deals in these two sectors; supporting small and emergent businesses and community based enterprises.

Building on its over 20 years experience in producing sector specific annual publications, Portfolio of Mining & Energy aims to also truly showcase some of the new and revolutionary trends, developments and challenges in the mining and energy sectors in Africa; such as:

• Women in mining and energy in Africa!
• HIV/AIDS endemic on the mining and energy labour force!
• Minerals and energy rights v/s the rights of local communities!
• The royalties’ concept: a community empowerment vehicle or
  an investor’s nightmare!
• Are the African mining and energy sectors moving up the value chain in the continent’s wealth creation challenge?

The continent’s transport system and infrastructure in mining and energy!

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP LEGACY PUBLICATION

And more information please click here to download PowerPoint Presentation