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Monopoly we love to hate left to force changes in ICT sector
- Thread starter rpm
- Start date
bah@them why is BEE the in thing? i thought we all equal in this new SA
i guess "some are more equal than other"
I don't see this as a way forward for the country. Are we not supposed to be trying to attract international business and investment to SA? How is trying to force these global companies into something which they might not be comfortable with going to achieve this goal?
If they are only willing to support the transformation process through skills development, then let them. It remains a win-win for SOUTH AFRICA, and not only for the elite few in the top "black ranks" (for the lack of a better word). Skills development is something we desperately need in SA, and kudus to anyone investing in that. IMO a global company investing in skills development will be far more benificial to the WHOLE SA than selling off bits and pieces to a couple of rich fat cats. The people at the top are already there, rather help the people at the bottom to get to the top, and no, the people able to buy up pieces of such companies are definately not at the bottom anymore, nor are they disadvantaged in any way.
I have not met any worker who has benifitted from any BEE equity deals. The people being appointed at top management level are again only a handfull that can be chosen from, and probably already have very cushy jobs already.
We will not uplift this country by providing top jobs to people who already have top jobs. We need to train and uplift the people living in shacks, begging on street corners, and the people living out of our garbage bins. Where is the money to do this supposed to come from if international companies are not given the oppertunity to do so?
...but then again, to have knowledge is to have power. Now would'nt that be nice.
If they are only willing to support the transformation process through skills development, then let them. It remains a win-win for SOUTH AFRICA, and not only for the elite few in the top "black ranks" (for the lack of a better word). Skills development is something we desperately need in SA, and kudus to anyone investing in that. IMO a global company investing in skills development will be far more benificial to the WHOLE SA than selling off bits and pieces to a couple of rich fat cats. The people at the top are already there, rather help the people at the bottom to get to the top, and no, the people able to buy up pieces of such companies are definately not at the bottom anymore, nor are they disadvantaged in any way.
I have not met any worker who has benifitted from any BEE equity deals. The people being appointed at top management level are again only a handfull that can be chosen from, and probably already have very cushy jobs already.
We will not uplift this country by providing top jobs to people who already have top jobs. We need to train and uplift the people living in shacks, begging on street corners, and the people living out of our garbage bins. Where is the money to do this supposed to come from if international companies are not given the oppertunity to do so?
...but then again, to have knowledge is to have power. Now would'nt that be nice.
McSack
Executive Member
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- Feb 14, 2007
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- 5,737
... and therein lies the rub.
No gravy means no deal.
If the government were truly committed to upliftment and improvement for the previously disadvantaged they would do anything in their power to attract companies willing to engage in relevant skills development
If I were any of these big companies I would seriously consider moving my africa headquarters to Botswana. I'm sure they'd be welcomed there
ernstn
Expert Member
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- Jul 29, 2003
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- 1,365
Interesting that in 1978 already all major computer companies used the "Sullivan code of conduct (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sullivan_Principles)" as standard business practice.
"Another way to put pressure on the South African government
was the “Sullivan Code of Conduct.” The code was established by the
Reverend Leon Sullivan, in 1977, to guide American companies doing
business in South Africa. This strategy was developed for those people
believing more in “constructive engagement,” or working from inside the
system for change. This “code of conduct” was different from the
previously mentioned strategies in that it did not attempt to restrict
businesses from operating or investing in South Africa. The idea behind
the six original principles, also called the “Sullivan Principles,” was to
encourage American businesses to treat their employees in South Africa
the same way they would treat them if they were in America (Mangaliso
228). The principles seemed simple enough: end segregation, and
provide equal pay and equal job advancement."
We had affirmative action policies and active training policies in the ICT industry to promote these principles, but nowwhere was it even once considered to lower standards to accomodate these people. In fact in many cases they contributed to the raising of standards! Nobody complained about it and in fact the seriousness of the apartheid system came through much more forcibly( ie having to eat in one of 6 international restaurants in JHB to avoid embarassment for you and your coworkers from other race groups).
Many of these people became well established in the ICT sector, and that happened on an equal opportunity base and I would dare to say for them would have been an insult if they had to be promoted only because they were black.
I think even today the establishment of this policy, based on equality, still bears fruit in the ICT sector. Sad it was not used in all businesses before 1980!
"Another way to put pressure on the South African government
was the “Sullivan Code of Conduct.” The code was established by the
Reverend Leon Sullivan, in 1977, to guide American companies doing
business in South Africa. This strategy was developed for those people
believing more in “constructive engagement,” or working from inside the
system for change. This “code of conduct” was different from the
previously mentioned strategies in that it did not attempt to restrict
businesses from operating or investing in South Africa. The idea behind
the six original principles, also called the “Sullivan Principles,” was to
encourage American businesses to treat their employees in South Africa
the same way they would treat them if they were in America (Mangaliso
228). The principles seemed simple enough: end segregation, and
provide equal pay and equal job advancement."
We had affirmative action policies and active training policies in the ICT industry to promote these principles, but nowwhere was it even once considered to lower standards to accomodate these people. In fact in many cases they contributed to the raising of standards! Nobody complained about it and in fact the seriousness of the apartheid system came through much more forcibly( ie having to eat in one of 6 international restaurants in JHB to avoid embarassment for you and your coworkers from other race groups).
Many of these people became well established in the ICT sector, and that happened on an equal opportunity base and I would dare to say for them would have been an insult if they had to be promoted only because they were black.
I think even today the establishment of this policy, based on equality, still bears fruit in the ICT sector. Sad it was not used in all businesses before 1980!
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