CEO of Flow PR Shoni Makhari was recently appointed to the National Department of Tourism’s BBBEE Charter Council. The role of this prestigious council is to provide industry input and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Tourism Industry BBBEE Charter.
“Our job is to make sure that the BBBEE Charter for the tourism industry is still relevant and effective, and to provide guidance on the path towards economic and social equality in our country,” explains Shoni.
With many years of experience under his belt, including the role of Associate Director at pioneering BEE research and rating agency Empowerdex, assuming such an important position on the council seemed a logical step for Shoni.
The council is set to meet several times a year to discuss the current charter and its implementation.
“I hope to add my voice to the growing need to address the loopholes that seem to be emerging in BBBEE implementation,” says Shoni. “Some people are starting to question BBBEE altogether and we need to make sure that the right policies are in place. BBBEE is intended to transform the makeup of the economy – it’s not simply about ticking boxes.”
Shoni feels that his experience as a journalist and his career at Flow will stand him in good stead, in taking on this responsibility.
“As some of Flow’s top clients are from the tourism industry [including South African Tourism, Cape Town Tourism and the Gauteng Tourism Authority], we really are best equipped to offer insight on such a crucial charter,” says Shoni.
“I’m very pleased that my colleagues at Flow are committed to BBBEE. It’s encouraging. A good business fosters diversity.”