A top-level South African National Aids Council meeting chaired by Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka heard this week that better policies to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV will be finalised within two weeks. Only about 40% of pregnant women take part in existing programmes, which fall below international guidelines.

The Mail & Guardian‘s recent Critical Thinking Forum drew in a stellar group of panellists to discuss the hotly debated topic of BEE and who the process really benefits. Held at the Gordon Institute of Business Science in Johannesburg, the debate, titled BEE: Is it a rip-off? Who really benefits?, was moderated by Judge Dennis Davis.

”Seeryas”, as the advertisement, says. Alexander Forbes seriously expects us to believe that its recent appointment of an executive chairperson, Bruce Campbell, followed by the resignation of its talented black chief executive, Peter Moyo, and his replacement by the same Campbell, demonstrates the financial services giant’s commitment to transformation, writes Songezo Zibi.

A new report calls for special consideration when it
comes to the housing needs of abused women.

Business prides itself on being able to take a long-term view. We would do well to apply the same competencies to dealing with transformation. Here are some suggestions. The problem of finding black suppliers would be hugely alleviated if we were committed to enterprise development. This provides an opportunity for businesses to create, mentor and sustain their own suppliers, writes Nkosinathi Chonco.

Victims of abuse need someone to talk to — ”A listening ear is the best medicine.”