Behind the National State Enterprises Bill: A missed revolution
6 November 2023
In September 2023, South Africa witnessed a watershed moment as the National State Enterprises Bill made its debut in the National Assembly. This milestone bore the promise of revitalising not only the country's governance arena but, more importantly, its beleaguered state-owned enterprises (SOEs). However, this Bill's initial allure as a harbinger of reform is, but a mirage. Beyond the surface, it falls dramatically short, failing to address the monumental crises afflicting these SOEs.
ESKOM, PRASA, and Denel, among most, if not all the others, have been plunged into a dire state of financial jeopardy due to cadre deployment, rampant corruption, abysmal mismanagement, and the absence of fair competition and business standards. While the Bill held the potential to remedy these ills, it, regrettably, neglects the critical areas that demanded attention. The viability of South Africa's SOEs, and thus its economic future, now teeters on a precipice.
The National State Enterprises Bill aims to address the long-standing issues in the governance of strategic SOEs in South Africa. It proposes a significant structural shift, signalling the dissolution of the Department of Public Enterprises, which currently holds sway over these entities. In its place would be a new state-owned holding company, the State Asset Management SOC Ltd, envisioned to manage the SOEs and their finances. Crucially, the State is designated as the sole shareholder of this holding company, consolidating its control over various state enterprises.
Critics have voiced their concerns, highlighting several critical issues with the Bill. One glaring concern is the Bill's lack of provisions for private sector involvement. Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO, Busisiwe Mavuso, remarked, "The exclusion of private sector involvement is a missed opportunity." The Bill's exclusive state shareholding stifles the potential for private sector participation or the exploration of public-private partnerships. By maintaining sole state ownership, the Bill restricts such opportunities and the benefits they could bring to SOEs.