04 March 2005
	EMPOWERMENT FACTORS INTRODUCTION Not JUST for the FEW By Itumeleng Mahabane The scorecard approach ensures that empowerment is broad based and does not enrich only the elite

Notwithstanding the public debate about government's black economic empowerment (BEE) policy being designed to enrich a few individuals, official BEE policy has always been aimed at a broad base. The balanced scorecard, with its range of factors aimed at various groups, seeks to benefit as many people in the economy as possible. Whether empowerment on its own can ease the plight of those without access to the economy is debatable. But what is certain is that the scorecard approach cannot be considered a tool to promote enrichment. The draft BEE codes of good practice released by the trade & industry department provide more detail on the broad-based BEE scorecard and, once finalised, will enable consistent measurement and benchmarking. The scorecard, particularly the revised version , makes it clear that government wants empowerment to benefit the broader population. Government has provided sufficient guidance to the private sector on BEE. It is now time for the private sector to take the baton. Greater emphasis should be placed on the responsibility of business to implement value-creating BEE and thereby foster growth. Unless all stakeholders understand that BEE is fundamental to the development and competitiveness of our economy, businesses will continue to implement it in a half-hearted manner. They will not appreciate the real value beyond short-term gains of compliance, nor fully comprehend the benefits of implementing all aspects of BEE in their own organisations.