President Cyril Ramaphosa has named the 14 members that will serve five years on the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Advisory Council, as part of government’s plan to intensify the transformation of the country’s economy.

Earlier this week Ramaphosa pointed out that the BBBEE Commission’s 2020 report revealed that most economic sectors are falling short of their black women ownership targets.

Ramaphosa said the country’s commitment to entrench and deepen economic empowerment was unwavering, adding that this was the reason why black economic empowerment was an integral part of the country’s economic reconstruction and recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Eight of the Council members were female, with Ramaphosa explaining that he took into account provincial representation, sector expertise, gender and age before making appointments.

In line with legislation, members have expertise across a variety of economic sectors and come from business, trade unions, community-based organisations and academia.

Members of the BBBEE Advisory Council are:

• Black Business Council CEO Kganki Matabane
• Black business veteran Gloria Serobe
• Academic and specialist on industrial development funding Dr Nthabiseng Moleko
• South African airline executive Sibongile Sambo
• Industrialist Sibusiso Maphatiane
• Chartered accountant and BBBEE specialist Ajay Lulu
• Senior leader in the labour movement Louise Thipe
• Trade unionist and researcher Makale Ngwenya
• Progressive Professionals Forum leader Kashief Wicomb
• Academic, spatial development planner and businessperson Dr Lulu Gwagwa
• National Economic Development and Labour Council executive council representing the community constituency Thulani Tshefuta
• Competition Commission chief economist James Hodge
• Director of a company in the healthcare sector Khathu Lambani Makwela
• Internal auditor Irene Dimakatso Morati.

Ramaphosa extended well-wishes to the Council in their transformation efforts.