Alas, all my positive thinking went
for a ball of the proverbial this week.
Government, with the private sector started a process to define guidelines
for industry to comply with BEE (Black Economic Empowerment). After
their previous attempt at this with the mining industry they saw it
fit to involve the private sector in this massive project.
The CSSA (Computer Society of SA) and ITA presented a seminar for
interesting parties to pose questions to the man in charge from the
DTI (Department of Trade and Industry). Seeing that this project has
been going on for (what seems) forever, this was a unique opportunity
for the ICT industry especially to learn first-hand about where they're
at.
Bit of background - BEE guidelines have to be in place for suppliers
to tender on contracts put out by government departments and / or
parastatals. If a supplier does not conform to these guidelines (which
doesn't exist as yet) they are automatically disqualified from the
tendering process. The private sector organised themselves with a
representative from each sector to sit with the government appointed
team. There are various aspects to this and basic requirements on
what constitutes a BEE company. Different business sectors (all represented)
have to negotiate and discuss the various proposals from government
in order to get a workable and sustainable resolute to this issue.
Government will then accredit certain organisations to verify and
certify companies as compliant with all the specifications before
these companies can qualify to do business with government departments.
That's the basic idea, and a good idea. The only problem is that
there are (at this stage) only two "requirements" with an
unfinished project and government departments insisting on "only
accredited" suppliers doing business with them. No organisations
have been looked at (at this stage) to provide accreditation as the
complete guidelines don't even exist yet.
The seminar turned out to be a "questions and answers"
forum, which had more questions than answers. The relevant "big
shot" from the DTI confirmed the day before that he will attend
only to cancel an hour before because "I'm in Cape Town and can't
make it". Yes, he's a "green" man. And it makes matters
even worse as there were as many black business men attending as there
were whites.
Don't they realise that they're pulling a Telkom on South African
business? Without governments active participation there will be very
little business can do. By hindering progress not only government
will suffer, but even more so business.
And the sooner they can get it through their skulls that being in
(any) position in government requires commitment and hard work. This
is not kindergarten, there's no place to hide, there's no excuses
for this type of behavior. If you do not perform according to the
requirements and responsibilities for the job, someone else should
be given the chance. Maybe this public servant should be posted to
a less demanding position if not totally kicked out.
The industry needs a clear mandate in order to move forward. We all
know how lucrative a government contract can be and we all know that
even government (more so) need the private sector. The economy needs
this, for all it's people. By stalling this process they're stalling
the empowerment of their "comrades". BEE requires black
participation by it's very nature, exactly what the ANC government
is pushing for.., only to put a spanner in the works themselves.
If government is not inherently disciplined, how do they expect it's
people to be?
