THE transformation and empowerment of black landowners in the Eastern Cape was operating at a snail’s pace and the portfolio should jump from 37% to 50% within the current financial year, Roads and Public Works MEC Pemmy Majodina said in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

She was addressing business owners and government officials at the first Eastern Cape Property Summit which started yesterday and continues today.

The summit is aimed at discussing challenges and critical issues facing the property industry in the province.

“Every year government, through the department, invests billions of rands of its budget to lease property from the industry in which only 23% of players are from the historically disadvantaged group.

“If we talk of transformation of the property industry, we need substantial change in the racial and gender composition of ownership, control and management, and to enhance the participation of black people in the property sector,” said Majodina.

She said the department would in the upcoming weeks release more than 35 tenders to call for proposals for office accommodation to further promote BEE.

“In March this year, the department committed itself to change the face of our lease to 50% BEE. We are currently at 37% and this tender for office accommodation will enable us to still achieve our target within this financial year.

“I would like to urge landlords to assist government in targeting black entrepreneurs in their subcontracts.”

She said the new Government Immovable Management Act which would be implemented on April 1 next year, would address the issue of decaying buildings in the province.

Finance, Economic Development and Environmental Affairs MEC Mcebisi Jonas emphasised the use of local content. “In all sectors we need to increase the level of local content,” he said. “As government we must use our spend to support that growth.”