What Could the Proposed New B-BBEE Codes Do to Business SA's Commitment to Social Development?

Minister Rob Davies has published draft amendments to the existing B-BBEE Codes. Both progressive business and the non-profit sector are seriously questioning several aspects of these -- to the extent that the DTI was last week moved to issue a press statement denying that the intention of the draft Codes is to disadvantage 'charitable organisations'. Paradoxically it is the changes to the Socio-Economic Development (SED) pillar -- which currently carries the least points on the scorecard - which is drawing the most public criticism. In spite of the DTI's recent demurral, the intended changes have the potential to both impoverish non-profits and damage South Africa's burgeoning corporate social responsibility culture. At both practical and symbolic levels this is cause for grave concern.