1. What is the definition of Black Economic Empowerment?

Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) is a South African government policy aimed at advancing economic transformation and enhancing the economic participation of Black people across a broad range of sectors and levels in the economy.

Formal Definition (from the B-BBEE Act, No. 53 of 2003 as amended):

"Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment means the economic empowerment of all black people including women, workers, youth, people with disabilities and people living in rural areas through diverse but integrated socio-economic strategies."

 Key Objectives of B-BBEE:

• Increase the number of Black people who own, manage, and control enterprises and productive assets.
• Promote human resource and skills development.
• Achieve equitable representation in all levels of the workforce.
• Support entrepreneurship and access to finance for Black-owned businesses.
• Enhance procurement from Black-owned and Black-empowered businesses.
• Promote investment in communities and socio-economic development.

2. How do I apply for an Empowerdex Rating?

In order to apply for an Empowerdex rating, please feel free to call your local office to get more details.

Your local Client Relations Manager will assist, and provide you with the necessary information you might require. We will need to know which category your organisation falls into, in order to process or assist you with your application for a rating:

• Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME): annual turnover under R10 million per annum
• Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE): annual turnover R10 million to R50 million per annum
• Generic Enterprise: annual turnover of R50 million and above

Once we are able to determine which bracket your organisation falls into, we can send you the relevant application pack in order for you to proceed with your rating. This application pack is filled with information on the next steps and how to obtain a rating with Empowerdex. Please contact your local office to proceed with your rating.

3. What does it cost to get rated?

The cost of the verification will be dependent on the complexity of the ownership structure, the number of employees, procurement budget, and number of operating entities. Please contact your local office to assist you further

4. What are the various rating scores that can be achieved and what status does this relate to (the below relates to the amended CoGP 2013)?

5. What is the rating process – how does it work?

The rating process; which is in line with methodology outlined by SANAS and the dtic. Click here to see an explanation.

6. How can I get an Engagement/Tender letter?

A Tender Letter will be issued at the start of the engagement and is valid for three months. Unfortunately, letters cannot be re-issued after expiry. Please contact your local office for more information.

7. What are the different types of ratings Empowerdex offers?

Our B-BBEE services include the full range of ratings, advisory, training, assurance services and research. 

8. Is Empowerdex SANAS accredited?

Yes, Empowerdex is SANAS accredited

9. How do I learn more about BEE, the rating process and the Codes of Good Practice? 

Empowerdex offers tailored training programmes designed to keep clients informed about the latest B-BBEE requirements. These programmes can be customized to suit the unique needs of each organisation, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to effectively implement and manage sustainable B-BBEE strategies and practices.

Our courses are regularly updated to ensure that organisations can confidently apply B-BBEE principles and work towards achieving optimal rating outcomes.

Our advanced training offering is the Certified Empowerment Technician (CET) course — a comprehensive workshop ideal for industry consultants, HR managers, transformation champions, CFOs, business owners, and anyone who deals with B-BEEE in any capacity within their organisation. For details on B-BBEE training, click here

10. I would like to use Empowerdex’s logo on my website or documents, in order to show we are Empowerdex rated – who do I contact?

Once verified, a company may only use the Empowerdex Certified Empowerment Contributor trademark logo, when referring to its verification status once it has obtained the written consent of Empowerdex.  The use of the Empowerdex logo is not permissible. Please consult our Standard Terms and Conditions of verifications, for the terms of utilising the Certified Empowerment Contributor logo.  It should be noted that use of the logo must be followed by the actual verified status achieved by the company, i.e.: ‘Empowerdex Level Four verified’ and NOT simply ‘Empowerdex verified’.  A company may not make use of the Empowerdex branding logo without permission in writing, from Empowerdex. Contact us on (011) 883 8548 for more details.

Empowerdex has other services designed to assist to drive transformation.  Please speak to us on how we can assist you with your unique circumstances.

Collation Service:

The collation service is an offering whereby a separate team would assist your company in collating the correct information required for the rating process and compiling a rating to be presented to the rating team.   

Gap Analysis:  

This will be similar to the rating process, but over and above collecting information and verifying it, an analysis of your current processes and systems will be done.  At the end the process, a report will be formulated that will include the scorecard of the company (for internal use only), a processes analysis, as well as a gap analysis showing which areas the company falls short in, and which areas more effort is required.

The gap analysis can also be done after the rating, where the process is used to determine which areas require more attention, and what the possible score would be based on a few small changes.

The Indicative Rating Process:

Similar in basic processes to the formal rating, the Indicative Rating's difference lies in the fact that the scorecard information is not verified, but information supplied by the client is accepted on “face-value”. 

It is of the utmost importance to note that this indicative rating process will NOT result in a rating certificate that may be used in the normal process of proving compliance. It is normally used as an internal “pre-rating” exercise to determine whether changes need to be made prior to rating, or whether the client is ready for the process.  The value of this exercise lies in the much shorter turn-around time than the rating exercise, but still results in a deliverable which produces enough information to form the basis of the chronological next step, full rating. 

Ownership Assessment:

With this we verify your ownership element only and provide you with a detailed certificate of your ownership. The normal verification process is followed and the end result will be a valid ownership certificate.

Joint Venture/Consortium Certificate:

With this we will verify a unicorporated Joint Venture that was created between two or more companies for a specific project or as a temporary working together solution. We will assess the BEE certificate of all the involved parties against the share each of the entities has in the Joint Venture or Consortium. The end result will be a Joint Venture/Consortium certificate that is valid for 12 months.

Kindly contact your local Client Service Consultant in order to receive a quote on any of the above service offerings.