Transformation Agenda During COVID-19: Do the Means Justify the Ends?

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2522-6800/11322

Keywords:

Coronavirus, transformation, B-BBEE, tourism fund, black economic empowerment

Abstract

The impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the public health system of South Africa and the economy is evident. In an attempt to tackle economic hardship, the government created various economic relief packages. One of the industries hardest hit by the pandemic was the tourism sector. The Minister of Tourism then created a fund to assist within the tourism sector but added a separate requirement to access the fund based on the B-BBEE status of the company. This note seeks to answer the question of whether a transformation agenda during a national crisis is appropriate for achieving the desired end. This is especially critical at a time when the entire tourism industry was impacted in some way by COVID-19 and the ensuing lockdown.

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References

Alho R and Pillay V, ‘Covid-19 Tourism Relief Fund: B-BBEE criteria validated by High Court’ (CDH, 4 May 2020) <https://www.cliffedekkerhofmeyr.com/en/news/publications/2020/corporate/bee-alert-4-may-COVID-19-Tourism-Relief-Fund-B-BBEE-criteria-validated-by-High-Court.html> accessed 29 April 2021.

B-BBEE Commission ‘B-BBEE Commission Initiates Investigations into Possible Fronting Practices and Non-Compliance with B-BBEE Act’ (B-BBEE Commission, 07 August 2017) <https://www.bbbeecommission.co.za/b-bbee-commission-initiates-investigations-into-possible-fronting-practices-and-non-compliance-with-b-bbee-act/> accessed 27 May 2021.

Department of Tourism the Republic of South Africa, ‘Tourism Relief Fun for SMMES’ (2020) <http://www.gardenroute.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/TOURISM-RELIEF-FUND-FOR-SMMEs-Funding-criteria-and-the-application-process-final.pdf.> accessed 29 April 2021.

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Parliamentary Monitoring group, ‘Strategies to Expedite Transformation in the Tourism Sector’ (1 September 2020) <https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/30984/> accessed 27 May 2021.

The Department of Trade and Industry (2007) ‘Guidelines on Complex Structures and Transactions, and Fronting’ (Previously Statement 002)

< http://www.thedtic.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/BEE-GuidelinesComplexstructuresFronting.pdf> 9 September 2022

The Department of Tourism of the Republic of South Africa, ‘Easy Guide for the Amended Tourism B-BBEE Sector Code’ <https://www.tourism.gov.za/AboutNDT/Publications/Easy%20Guide%20for%20the%20Amended%20Tourism%20B-BBEE%20Sector%20Code.pdf> accessed 29 April 2021.

The Department of Tourism the Republic of South Africa ‘Tourism Relief Fund for SMMEs Applications’ <https://www.tourism.gov.za/CurrentProjects/Tourism_Relief_Fund_for_SMMEs/Pages/Tourism_Relief_Fund_for_SMMEs.aspx> accessed 29 April 2021.

Published

2023-02-07

How to Cite

Mushariwa, Muriel. 2022. “Transformation Agenda During COVID-19: Do the Means Justify the Ends?”. Southern African Public Law 37 (2):13 pages. https://doi.org/10.25159/2522-6800/11322.

Issue

Section

Commentary