Contents of this briefing on changes made to BEE Bill:
- General architecture of Initial Bill
- Public Submissions
- Changes (1)
- Changes affected after Portfolio Committee of 5 August

Initial Bill- Key
Essentially an enabling statute
Setting clear objectives for broad based empowerment
Setting framework for Codes of Good Practice
Creation of a BEE Advisory Council
Legislative endorsement for sector Charters

Public Submissions
Main request was to expand/strengthen the enabling infrastructure in Bill & to align the Bill & Strategy
Also to:
- Define composition of Council
- Advisory role - viz President
- Spell out SOE / Govt obligations
- "Broad based empowerment" to be defined in the Bill
- Particular emphasis to black women under empowerment process
- Provisions for finance
- Appendixes of strategy to be in Bill
- Definition of "black"
- Monitoring/compliance

Changes (1)
- Revised Draft proposed to expand the structure of the initial bill without departing from the principle of creating an Enabling Act
- Preamble amended allows for the cross referencing to constitution and other national legislation
- Definition of broad based empowerment has been added
- Definition of "black people" being in line with Employment Equity Act.
- Alignment to PFMA
- Composition and functions set out clearly
- Constitution to be included

Changes to CODE OF PRACTICE
- Revised to distinguish black men and women to achieve constitutional equality
- Code of Practice to be consistent with Preferential Procurement Framework
- Requirements for public entities to be made explicit
- Bill to require issuing of strategy/policy documents

Changes affected after Portfolio Committee meeting of 5 August
- Consistency of name for Codes of Good Practice
- Objectives to clearly specify -broadening ownership, skills and participation in management
- Strengthening application of codes "take account off" to "as far as is practically possible apply"
- Minister's discretion re: Strategy issuing is peremptory "must issue"
- Reporting by SOE's to be dealt with in strategy and in shareholder compacts
- Clarify advisory committee role re:
- "Promoting Charter" - role clarified "facilitate partnership"