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Editorial Comment

BEE Scorecards : A realistic prospective
BEE scorecards are suddenly the order of the day and amidst the controversies the manifestations are stirring up, one grapples for perspective.
The dust around the BEE scorecard for the mining sector is still turning, while the one for agriculture has let the cat loose amongst the pigeons. Now scorecards for tourism, the IT sector, the marketing sector, respectively, amongst others, are up for discussion.
The Free State Business Bulletin has in the past stated its views, which, constructively meant in the interest of SA and also the Free State, are that basically South Africa is a free country with equal opportunities. That means when it comes to evaluating competition, merit should provide the criteria. Not quotes based on skin colour. Unqualified and mismanaged BEE constitutes racial discrimination, apartheid-in-reverse and imbalances of all sorts.
What this country needs most now is fostering spontaneous entrepreneurship to stimulate economic growth to create livelihoods and jobs to raise standard of living and to cut heavily back on unemployment, unskilledness and poverty. Thus a constructive cycle. However, obstructing this as a major impediment, is unbridled empowerment at the expense of fellow citizens.
Instead of aiming for set percentages of black equity, any industry should be measured first on its ability to create opportunities and skills at operational level.That should lead to true empowerment.
What are the views of the readers of the Free State Business Bulletin on this subject ? What is a realistic perspective on BEE and scorecards ?
Gee ons gerus u mening van wat 'n realistiese perspektief op SEB telkaarte sou wees.
Email us your views from the feedback form on www.bulletinonline.co.za or to emarket@emarket.co.za or fax to us at (051) 430 7562 or write to us at Free State Business Bulletin, P.O. Box 290, Bloemfontein, 9300.

Beoogde naamsverandering
Die beoogde naamsveranderinge van dorpe, damme en ander openbare plekke in die Vrystaat kan òf goed òf sleg vir ekonomiese ontwikkeling in die provinsie wees. Word gekyk na die onsensitiwiteit en onnodigheid waarmee naamsveranderinge in ander provinsies gepaard gegaan het, kan gesien word dat dit die blanke deel van die bevolking tot 'n groot mate vervreem het van die hoofstroom ontwikkelingsproses. Sodoende word onbetrokkenheid in die hand gewerk by heelwat ekonomies-aktiewe mense wat normaalweg 'n spontane opbouende bydrae kan maak tot die sosio-ekonomiese vooruitgang van 'n streek.
Wat die Vrystaat nou nodiger het as ooit is wedersydse vertroue en samewerking tussen die verskillende bevolkingsgroepe in die provinsie. Alleenlik as sulke vertroue en samewerking bestaan - en alleenlik dan - het die Vrystaat 'n kans om ekonomies en ontwikkelingsgewys te slaag.

Local is best
One of our wishes for business in the Free State in 2005 and henceforward is that we would become Proudly Free State. Support our own businesses and services and make sure that we are supportable and worthy. Don't buy and contract in Joh'burg, Cape Town or wherever else, but also make sure it is not necessary to do so.
Moreover : Don't “export” so much of our raw materials, but process it locally - value-adding in the Free State and let all those benefits be kept locally.
For this we need a co-ordinated and purposeful campaign - who is to lead the way? Meanwhile let's start by each one sweeping before his / her own door.

Seisoenskomplimente
Die Vrystaat Sake Bulletin bedank graag al ons adverteerders en medewerkers vir u ondersteuning die afgelope jaar. Ons het 'n goeie jaar gehad - ons dank eerstens aan ons Hemelse Vader, maar ook aan u. Mag u elkeen die Vrede van Kersfees ervaar en mag ons in die Nuwe Jaar mekaar help om dit die beste nog te maak.