Businesses are finding it harder to procure IT contracts with large companies if they are without black economic empowerment [BEE] ownership or shareholding. Consequently, many companies wanting lucrative deals with large South African enterprises are engaged in BEE initiatives – some as cosmetic makeovers, others as real empowerment projects designed to improve the companies` scope and potential in Africa.

One company that has two such initiatives is Intel. With revenues of $26.5 billion in 2001, Intel is one of the long-time leaders of the IT market. It is proving to be a South African leader in practical education, doing more to close the digital divide than one would expect from a 12-person company.