Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, 2003 (Act No. 53 of 2003)

Recognising the unique position that financial institutions hold in the development of South Africa, two new elements have been introduced into the scorecard over and above the seven elements that exist in the CoGP. These are Empowerment Financing and Access to Financial Services. These elements are intended to broaden and hasten the transformation process as they focus on making financial services accessible to the previously unbanked and under-served. They empower the previously disenfranchised through the provision of affordable housing, financing of black SMMEs and agricultural activities, and investing in various forms of transformational infrastructure that create the necessary platform to grow the economy on an equitable basis.

The new elements are derived from similar initiatives, which were at the core of the Charter. It is recognised that the Sector can better play a role in the creation of sustainable wealth across a broad base through leverage of its unique position in the allocation of resources from savers to borrowers in the economy. In addition to achieving Equity Ownership targets by means of sales of shares, as contemplated under Code series FS1 00, Statement 100 and Sales of Assets as contemplated under Code series FS1 00, Statement 102, measured entities are also entitled to achieve equity ownership points through Equity Equivalent Programmes as contemplated under Code series FS1 00, Statement 103. These Equity Equivalent contributions represent the commitment of further resources to key developmental and national focus areas including but not limited to the New Growth Path (NGP) aligned initiatives, Enterprise Development, Empowerment Financing and Access to Financial Services initiatives.