President Mbeki said in his state of the nation address on 11 February 2005 that:

” …before the end of the year, government will complete the system of exemptions for these businesses small, medium and micro-enterprises] with regard to taxes, levies, as well as central bargaining and other labour arrangements…

The system of tax and levy payments and business registration will be reviewed, with the aim of introducing a simpler and streamlined system for all businesses by April 2006. Our programme for the coming year is premised on the broad objectives to increase investment in the economy, [and] lower the cost of doing business…

…I especially and warmly welcome the decision of the South African banks… they have made a public three-year commitment to provide at least R85 billion to finance low-cost housing, infrastructure, black small business enterprises and new black farmers.

Elements of the Codes of Good Practice for Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment have been released for public comment, and once this process is finalised, it will then be possible to appoint the Black Economic Empowerment Council.

… it is clear that together, as South Africans, we are set to make a determined effort to speed up broad-based black economic empowerment and small business development.”

Karin Janse van Rensburg