A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at addressing transformation in the ports sector has been entered into between the Ports Regulator of South Africa (PRSA) and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Commission.
A joint statement by the regulator and the commission this week explained that the MoU provided for the exchange of information, strategies, expertise and research related to B-BBEE and transformation. It will also provide a platform to strengthen the partnership on the sector’s economic transformation.
“It is intended that the partnership between the PRSA and the B-BBEE Commission will help address the slow pace of transformation. The PRSA report on “Implementation of Broad- Based Black Economic Empowerment in South African indicates that Black Ownership in port terminal operations hovers below 20%, for leases 18%, and 12% for services and facilities. The Ownership by Black Women in the sector is worryingly below 15%,” the joint statement said.
The B-BBEE Commission’s National Trends and Status report on B-BBEE for the year 2022, shows that the integrated transport sector reached 58% black ownership of JSE-listed entities in 2022, while 25% are black women owned. However, the ports sub-sector still lags behind.
“This demonstrates that an overarching challenge faced by the PRSA and the B-BBEE Commission is the issue of enforcement and accountability for non-compliance with the B-BBEE Act,” the statement read.
The statement said the commission had played a leading role in “strengthening of accountability and enforcement” of the Act but the MoU would enhance monitoring.
“It is anticipated that the collaboration between the B-BBEE Commission and the PRSA will enhance monitoring of transformation activities within the Ports Sector to ensure that black operators and port users benefit in [the] future. [The] MoU states that both partners may from time to time engage in awareness and advocacy programmes concerning B-BBEE.
“In this regard, it should be possible for example, where the PRSA identifies sub-sectors of the Ports where compliance and enforcement should be strengthened to collaborate with the B-BBEE Commission on research and appropriate interventions required, based on the respective mandates of the two entities,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za
