04 March 2005
	SECTORS INTRODUCTION How WELL is business DOING? By Itumeleng Mahabane A sector-by-sector analysis gives a clear picture of the progress of transformation in the private sector

The test of how well the private sector is doing in terms of transformation comes down to the sectoral analysis. In many sectors the companies that led their sectors on empowerment are often low down on the Top 185 list. The sectoral analysis is useful as a competitive ranking tool and as an analysis of what is happening in specific industries. Comparing the figures to last year's, it becomes clear that charters, even when they are not yet in place, are an incentive to accelerate transformation. Mining and financial services companies feature more prominently in the top of the overall rankings. Government work is the lifeblood of industires such as construction; professional services; information & communications technology; engineering; and other services such as tourism and health. These sectors must embrace empowerment charters or they will lose the lucrative public-sector market. Not all sectors that rely on government for their operations have sector charters in place, though many have plans to develop them. That means we should see a flurry of activity and there is a good chance that by next year many will have improved their BEE status significantly. Some sectors, such as retail, do not feel the pressure because they don't deal with government. Where there are charters being put in place we've reported on their development and progress. Where there is none planned we've provided an overview of the sector. Henceforth, all government contracts will depend on significant black ownership and control.