The concept of dual-shoring may not be new, but an Indian company and its two BEE partners have taken it to new levels by targeting computer science graduates from previously disadvantaged communities. Earlier this year, Zensar Technologies, which is rated among the top 12 Indian IT companies, became the first company from India to enter into a BEE deal with investment holding firm Kapela and The Tomorrow Trust, a move it says could see Zensar increasing its empowerment rating from level four to between three and two.

But this is only its latest step towards empowerment. Zensar began looking at upskilling South Africans almost immediately after setting up local operations in 2001, says Harish Lala, country manager at Zensar.