Deputy Speaker, the answer to part (a) is that I have no plans to present any proposal to privatise state-owned enterprises, SOEs. With respect to part (b), the department is in the process of reviewing the broad-based black economic empowerment, BBBEE codes, with a view to elevating enterprise development, preferential procurement and skills development elements in those codes. More precisely, we are creating subminimum requirements for performance in these areas as a tool to support and incentivise the creation of more opportunities for black entrepreneurs in small companies that are engaged in productive activities.
Furthermore, some of the amendments to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act - which will be incorporated in a Bill that will be tabled before Parliament in the near future - seek to promote a shift in emphasis in BBBEE transactions from the creation of passive shareholders to more sustainable and active empowerment of BBBEE beneficiaries within established companies, also with the aim of stimulating an entrepreneurial culture and ensuring that black people who benefit from BBBEE deals end up participating meaningfully and productively in the economy.
The National Empowerment Fund, NEF, has, however, facilitated a BBBEE public offer share scheme, called the Asonge Share Scheme. It is a retail product meant to empower black people by allocating some MTN Group shares to them. If and when such opportunities emerge in the future, the NEF could be expected to play a similar role with respect to other transactions. Thank you.