For BUSA Members Edition 7 August 2017 BUSA NEWS BULLETIN

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1 For BUSA Members Edition 7 August 2017 BUSA NEWS BULLETIN In this edition BUSA REPRESENTATIVES ATTEND CONFERENCE FOR THE FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA Trade and Industry Minister addresses BUSA members at AGM BUSA Representatives attend Conference for the future of South Africa South African business pays tribute to Ronnie Mamoepa BUSA President awarded Honorary Doctorate Member Updates Capacity Building Workshops Upcoming Events Important Notices Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) representatives attended the Conference for the Future of SA on 18 July The Conference consisted of a broad front of 130 civil society organisations that came together to express concern about corruption and maladministration prevalent in South Africa today. Conference delegates considered actions that could be taken in this regard and a declaration outlining what should be done to combat corruption and maladministration was constructed.

2 TRADE AND INDUSTRY MINISTER ADDRESSES BUSA MEMBERS AT AGM BUSA held its AGM on Thursday, 20 July Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies delivered a pre-agm address on Industrialisation in the Context of Transformation and Inclusive Growth. In his speech, Minister Davies, encouraged closer collaboration between business and government, which business welcomed. In response, BUSA President Jabu Mabuza said BUSA stands ready to engage and play a positive role in turning South Africa s economic fortunes around. However, Mabuza cautioned against Government s lack of consultation in critical areas of policy development as recently witnessed with the Mining Charter. SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS PAYS TRIBUTE TO RONNIE MAMOEPA It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Ronnie Mamoepa. BUSA has conveyed its condolences and issued a media statement in this regard: Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) joins scores of South Africans in paying tribute to struggle activist, ANC veteran and government communicator who was spokesperson for the Deputy President, Ronnie Mamoepa. The business community fondly remembers Ronnie as a warm, capable and honourable professional, who built bridges. His sense of duty, patriotism and inclusivity knew no bounds.. Far right: M Kingston, T Cohen, J Mabuza, R Davies, L October SA BRICS BUSINESS COUNCIL We are pleased to advise that Bongani Nqwababa from Sasol has been appointed as the main member to represent BUSA at the SA BRICS Business Council. Johan Thyse will be an alternate. This is in response to an invitation by the DTI to nominate the 5th member of the Council. It should be noted that Mr Nqwababa takes over as South Africa s takes over the Chairmanship of BRICS from August this year. ESKOM INTERIM RESULTS Eskom announced its Integrated Annual Results on 19 July Jane Molony, Deputy Chair of the BUSA Energy Sub- Committee attended the announcement on behalf of BUSA. The Energy Sub-Committee is considering the results along with an overall analysis of South Africa s electricity supply policy. 2

3 HIGH-LEVEL NEDLAC TASK TEAM ON DOWNGRADE MEET TO CONCLUDE TERMS OF REFERENCE The High-level Nedlac task team on Downgrade met on 21 July 2017 to conclude the terms of reference and identify substantive issues for engagement BUSA PRESIDENT DELIVERS KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT FEDUSA LEADERSHIP STRATEGIC SESSION At the FEDUSA Leadership Strategic Session, the BUSA President delivered a key note address and the CEO participated on a panel considering the role of leadership and Nedlac in addressing the challenges facing South Africa. The focus of the address and panel discussion was on the role of business in addressing current challenges in the economy, witan emphasis on the current wave of corrupt activities that are being revealed. BUSA PRESIDENT AWARDED HONORARY DOCTORATE We are proud to announce that the University of Witwatersand awarded an honorary Doctorate of Commerce to Jabu Mabuza, BUSA President. This is conferred in honour of his leadership, achievements in entrepreneurship and contribution towards the growth of the South African economy. BUSA wishes to express heartiest congratulations on the recognition by WITS University s award bestowed on him. BUSA takes pride in his stellar accomplishments as well as his reputation earned as business leader in advancing Black Economic Transformation. BUSA LEADERSHIP MEETS WITH THE B-BBEE COMMISSION BUSA leadership met with the B-BBEE Commission, led by Acting Commissioner Ntuli. The was held at BUSA s request in order to engage on the Approach to Economic Transformation. The Commission commended BUSA on the Approach and indicated that it is eager to see the detailed plan that flows out of the Approach. The Commissioner expressed concern that the Approach did not mirror the Codes as there appeared to be inadequate focus on ownership and socio-economic development elements. The served as a useful opportunity to share areas of mutual concern and interest and forms one of a series of stakeholder engagements that BUSA is conducting to secure input and find areas of commonality on the Approach. 3

4 BUSA DELIVERS THE ORGANISED BUSINESS INPUT AT BUSINESS STAKEHOLDERS ROUNDTABLE FOR THE MOTLANTHE HIGH LEVEL PARLIAMENTARY LEGISLATIVE PANEL BUSA CEO, Tanya Cohen presented at Business Stakeholders Roundtable assessment of the impact of legislation project. The session was one of the final sessions arranged by Parliament and chaired by former Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, together with a number of panelists appointed by the President. The roundtable discussion focused on legislative suitability to address the triple challenges of inequality, poverty and unemployment. Drawing heavily on the BUSA strategy and research, BUSA emphasized the importance of social-economic impact assessments and a single point of coordination within the legislature on new regulations. BUSA referred to the importance of ensuring that legislation enabled: Economic Transformation as per the Business Approach. Predictable, certain and enabling regulatory environment to do business. Laws that promote a productive and stable labour market and are aligned on comprehensive social security, and Enabling legislative framework that for the thriving of small and medium enterprises. SADC-EU ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ENGAGEMENT Mbini Kutta was appointed as a panellist and Rules of Origin expert in the Southern African Business Forum Workshop held in Sandton on the 3rd of August The main purpose of the workshop was to highlight the opportunities for business in the SADC- EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). A number of challenges that are experienced by the private sector in deriving benefits from the agreement were raised. This also served as a good platform for the introduction of the newly appointed Manager: Trade and Transport Policy. NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACT The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation has engaged with business and several other stakeholders with regards to the development of the National Youth Development Act. The aim of the was: to discuss the process of developing the act, the envisaged content for the act, the establishment a task team as well as time frames for the completion of this task. The delegation was composed primarily of youth, which is a positive indication 4

5 CONSTITUENCY CAPACITY BUILDING AND ADVOCACY WORKSHOPS 8 August Limpopo CCBA Workshop 10 August BUSA tax sub-committee 14 August Liquor Amendment Bill Task Team Delegates at the CCBA Workshop in Durban The 5th CCBA BUSA workshop (first regional workshop) was held in Durban on Work- Based Learning, at the offices of Shepstone & Wylie in Umhlanga Ridge. Thanks, are extended to Shepstone & Wylie for providing the venue. The workshop was facilitated by Carmel Marock of Singizi. It was resounding success, attended by 45 business representatives. Everyone in attendance thanked BUSA for the CCBA project and were complimentary towards BUSA taking this initiative to empower and consult with them. COSATU LAUNCHES A NEDLAC S 77 NOTICE OF PROTEST ACTION ON STATE CAPTURE COSATU has launched a Nedlac S77 notice of protest action on State Capture, citing many parties including government departments and BUSA as respondents. 15 August Labour Relations Act Focus Group 17 August Nedlac Teselico Sub- Committee Meeting 18 August Cape Town CCBA Workshop 22 August Port Elizabeth CCBA Workshop 23 August Nedlac Public Finance & Monetary Policy Chamber 24 August Nedlac Executive Council Meeting 24 August BUSA environment subcommittee 29 August BUSA trade, transport & logistics sub-committee 30 August Sub-Committee on Education and Training Meeting 30 August Social Policy Standing Committee Meeting 5

6 Important Notices BUSA is delighted to announce the following appointments: Ditshego Tsebe Director Social Policy Sino Moabalobelo Manager: Skills Policy Mbini Kutta Manager: Trade & Transport Policy For enquiries, please contact Nomaza Spelman via on / Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of finalisation on this Bulletin, circumstances do change from time to time.