Zuma appoints BEE council

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has appointed 19 members to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Council, his office said on Thursday.

The new members are led by Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, although Zuma chairs the council, the presidency said in a statement.

"President Zuma wished the new members well in their tasks of assisting the country to achieve meaningful economic transformation," it said.

The council is to advise the government on black economic empowerment, draft codes of good practice and transformation charters, and review progress in achieving empowerment.

The council is also required to facilitate partnerships between organs of state and the private sector, which would advance the objectives of the BBBEE Council Act.

Among those appointed to the council from the government were Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel, and Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities Minister Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya.

Academics appointed were Professor Mohammed Jahed of the University of the Witwatersrand's graduate school of public and development management, and Professor Eltie Links of the University of Stellenbosch Business School.

Businesswoman Wendy Lucas-Bull was also selected, together with National Youth Development Agency chairperson Andile Lungisa, independent consultant Sebenzile Matsebula, and Business Unity South Africa CEO Jerry Vilakazi.

South African National Civic Organisation national working committee member Dumisani Mthalane was appointed to the council, as were business and management consultant Ellen Tshabalala, Black Lawyers' Association vice-president Matshego Ramagaga, and Association of Black Accountants president and Confederation of Black Business Organisations vice-president Tsakani Matshazi.

Trade federation Cosatu would be represented by its president Sidumo Dlamini, alongside businessman Sandile Zungu, empowerment campaigner Don Mkhwanazi, businesswoman Dr Claudia Manning, and South African Institute of Chartered Accountants senior executive for transformation and growth Chantyl Mulder.

- Sapa