SED is a mandatory line on your B-BBEE scorecard. SolveSA turns it into a strategic programme — designed, run and measured end to end — so you earn your full points and can prove the difference your money made.
Measured against a Theory of Change. Reported with IRIS+-aligned impact evidence.
Turning mandatory SED spend into structured, verifiable social impact — connected to your business strategy
Every measured company owes 1% of net profit to Socio-Economic Development. But scattered, once-off donations rarely earn full points, rarely reach the right beneficiaries, and almost never produce a story you can put in front of a board or a verification agency.
SED becomes a year-end scramble of ad-hoc donations — disconnected from your business and impossible to measure.
If beneficiaries aren't at least 75% black, or the paperwork doesn't hold up, your contribution earns fewer points than it should — or none.
"We gave the money — but what changed?" Without measurement, you can't show your board, clients or investors any real outcome.
Sourcing credible NPO partners, vetting them, managing disbursements and measuring outcomes is a job no one on your team has time for.
SolveSA has spent more than 15 years helping South African businesses turn B-BBEE obligations into real, measurable outcomes. As part of the Alternative Prosperity Group — working alongside Six Capitals and the AP Foundation — we design your SED spend around a Theory of Change, so every rand is directed at a defined outcome, not just disbursed.
You get the full points and, for the first time, a defensible answer to "what did our SED money actually achieve?"
Socio-Economic Development rewards contributions — money or in-kind — that help black South Africans gain sustainable access to the economy. Reach the 1%-of-NPAT target, with a beneficiary base that is at least 75% black, and the full 5 points on the generic scorecard are yours.
Unlike Ownership, Skills Development and ESD, SED is not a priority element — there's no sub-minimum to trip over. That makes it one of the most reliable, controllable points on your scorecard. The only real risk is spending badly. SolveSA removes that risk.
A well-run SED programme does far more than tick a compliance box — it works for your scorecard, your strategy and your reputation at the same time.
SED contributions may be monetary or non-monetary (grants, services, time). Contributions must have the specific objective of facilitating sustainable access to the economy for beneficiaries. SolveSA structures, directs and documents this for you.
Choose the programmes that fit your business and the communities you want to reach. SolveSA directs your contribution, manages the delivery partners and measures the outcomes — you simply approve the plan.
A subsidised higher-education savings scheme (a Fundisa-equivalent under the Financial Sector Code) for households earning under R600,000 a year — administered by SolveSA for financial-sector sponsors.
School-based STEM support, including AI-assisted maths tutoring for Grade 11–12 learners, sponsored through the AP Foundation.
Foundation-phase and youth-development programmes that build the earliest rungs of the ladder in underserved communities.
Leadership-development programmes that build economic agency and confidence for young people and women.
Financial-literacy programming that helps households manage, save and build — delivered through our sister business, Six Capitals.
Prefer to hand it all over? We run the whole programme through vetted NPO partners, with impact measurement and dual-scorecard (SED + Skills) reporting.
A clear, five-step route from "we have to spend 1%" to full points backed by evidence of real impact — with SolveSA carrying the load at every step.
We calculate your 1%-of-NPAT SED obligation and review any current giving against the rules.
We shape a Theory of Change — matching the right SED programmes to your strategy and the communities you care about.
Funds flow to vetted, due-diligenced beneficiaries with a base that is at least 75% black.
IRIS+-aligned measurement runs throughout the year — tracking outcomes, not just disbursements.
Verification-ready evidence for your full 5 points, plus a board-ready impact and ESG report.
SED is one of the more predictable elements of the scorecard — here's the shape of it. We'll confirm exactly where your business stands.
SED is worth 5 points on the generic scorecard and features on the QSE scorecard. EMEs are exempt — they score automatically.
Contribute 1% of net profit after tax in the measurement period to earn the full points, measured as an annual average.
Your beneficiary base must be at least 75% black for a contribution to count fully toward your SED score.
Grants, donations, services and time all qualify — provided they help beneficiaries gain sustainable access to the economy.
Not sure what your 1% comes to, or whether your current giving qualifies? We'll work it out with you →
You always know exactly where your SED programme stands — spend deployed, beneficiaries reached, compliance and impact — without managing any of it. Illustrative views of the oversight SolveSA gives you.
| Compliance requirement | Detail | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1% of NPAT target | R748k of R850k deployed & committed | Tracking |
| Beneficiary base 75%+ black | Currently 92% — verified per programme | Confirmed |
| Contribution documentation | Proof of payment & beneficiary letters filed | Complete |
| Non-monetary valuation | In-kind contributions independently valued | Complete |
| Beneficiary NPO due diligence | Partners vetted & PBO status confirmed | Complete |
| No double-counting | Separated from Skills & ESD claims | Clean |
| Verification evidence pack | Auto-compiled — finalised at period end | In progress |
Outcome-level metrics for the "S" in your ESG reporting — evidencing measurable social impact alongside your B-BBEE points. Figures shown are illustrative of a sample programme.
SED is assessed at B-BBEE verification. SolveSA keeps the evidence trail clean throughout the year, and turns your programme into a social-impact story you can report with confidence.
SED programmes involve the personal information of learners, households and community beneficiaries. SolveSA treats that data with the same care we bring to your compliance.
Beneficiary and programme data managed in line with South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act.
Role-based access to programme records — the right people see the right information, and no more.
Every contribution, disbursement and beneficiary record time-stamped and retained — ready for verification on demand.
One point of ownership for the whole programme — SolveSA stands behind every recommendation we make.
Book a demo to see how SolveSA designs, runs and measures your SED programme — or request a tailored proposal for your entity. We'll start by working out your 1% and reviewing your current giving, no obligation.