Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment A Baseline Research Study in the Western Cape

Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT) of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape (PGWC) commissioned Mthente to conduct a baseline research study exploring Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment  (B-BBEE) in the Western Cape.  The objectives of the research study were to:  determine the extent to which B-BBEE serves as a catalyst for growth in the Western Cape economy, to identify factors which encourage and/or hinder B-BBEE and entrepreneurial activity in the Province, to offer possible guidelines for the formulation of effective and targeted policies aimed at stimulating BBBEE in the Western Cape and to recommend a model which clearly defines what B-BBEE should look like in the Western Cape.

The research was informed by a comprehensive desktop research phase; a baseline survey of 180 companies in the Western Cape; and a series of in-depth, one-on-one interviews with both company owners/ managers in the Western Cape (11) and B-BBEE specialists and stakeholders (3 interviews). In addition to these interviews, a selection of companies representing examples of best practice in terms of BBBEE implementation were interviewed.