Few, if any, South African business owners will contest the argument that Big Business has a responsibility to improve our social environment, and the means to do so.  Few will fail to recognise the advantages of empowering society to meet its own needs, rather than relying on welfare support.  Few will question whether broad-based black economic empowerment has the potential to boost economic growth and promote global competitiveness.

Nevertheless, the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) initiative has been widely criticised and censured for failing to meet its objectives and bring change to the vast majority of our black population.  Instead it has been hijacked by an elite few, and is, in the words of NUMSA trade unionists, “simply about enriching the affluent, well-connected and only privileged people." (Business Day 12 Feb 2007)

Despite its faults, BEE in its purest form has the potential to make a significant impact on this country.  The challenge we face is how to implement this empowerment initiative in the intended manner……and this is where the Nkomazi Community Trust comes in.  Since the launch of BEE in early 2007, our unique model has been changing lives and bringing hope to thousands by ensuring that the benefits of BEE reach the right people.  Put simply, we believe that the Nkomazi Community Trust is how BEE should BE

Our BEE Model

Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) encourages a holistic approach to empowerment which requires a considered strategy across all seven components of the BEE Codes. For this reason black ownership alone does not produce sufficient BEE points to get onto the BEE scorecard.  By partnering with the Nkomazi Community Trust, a company can acquire the maximum points available under the three external components of the scorecard, and potentially fast-track its BEE status to Level 3 (110%).      

As a fully black-owned, rural-based enterprise which completely satisfies all the requirements of the BEE Codes of Good Practice, the Nkomazi Community Trust is uniquely positioned to confer on contributing partners the maximum number of BEE points available under three components of the Codes, namely Ownership, Enterprise Development, and Socio-economic Development.. Furthermore, our status as a broad-based ownership scheme means that our partners also get the bonus points available on the scorecard.  

Through an association with the Nkomazi Community Trust, “full participation” members are able to attain Level 3 (110%) BEE status on the QSE Scorecard, or Level 7 (50%) BEE status on the Generic Scorecard.  Those companies electing not to give up ownership may still participate in this scheme on a “limited participation” basis, whereby contributions to the Trust can potentially earn maximum points on the scorecard for Enterprise Development and/or Socio-economic Development.

Most importantly, the Nkomazi Community Trust addresses the principle concern of most company owners by eliminating the dangers of entering into problematic partnerships, through a simple and cost-effective means of exiting the scheme if difficulties arise, circumstances change, or alternative options emerge.

Contact the Trust Administrator for a presentation on Black Economic Empowerment and the advantages of partnering with the Nkomazi Community Trust.