Blade Nzimande slaps BEE restrictions on laptop handouts

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande addressed the media on Wednesday, to explain how the phased return of students to tertiary learning is going. After revealing that 33% of learners are yet to resume their studies, he also issued a warning about the improper use of free laptops – which will be subject to BEE controls.

BEE requirements for laptop contract

According to Nzimande, the tender process is open for companies looking to supply technological devices on behalf of the government. A deadline for next week has been issued for companies looking to submit their applications, but it comes with a very strict caveat: Only BEE-compliant outfits can apply for the contract.

Furthermore, three in every 10 subcontractors linked to the successful bidder must be majority-black owned if they want to secure the tender. These conditions are likely to restrict which applicants will actually get past the first stage, creating a bottleneck in terms of the competition.

“At least 65% of the universities currently are in different stages some have even completed the procurement process for these devices. Only BBBEE level one and two companies are eligible. In addition, bidders must subcontract at least 30% of the contract to a small-medium enterprise, which is at least 51% black-owned.”

Blade Nzimande

Nzimande seeks an opportunity for change

Nzimande warned back in June that there would be “very strict BEE requirements” for the distribution of laptops to learners. On Wednesday, the minister revealed that research was still ongoing as to where students live and how universities can best cater to their data needs.

The tender is likely to be awarded at some point in August. This isn’t the first time Blade Nzimande has laid down the gauntlet for transformation in the education sector. He has previously asked the suppliers of laptop bags to be SA-owned, and stated that the pandemic is an opportunity to ‘include the excluded’.