If you’re a small business owner preparing to apply for tenders in South Africa, one of the documents you’ll always see listed as “mandatory” is B-BBEE proof. For many SMEs, the confusion lies in knowing whether you need an affidavit or a certificate.
This guide is designed to help Black South African entrepreneurs understand how B-BBEE works for small businesses, what counts as EME or QSE, and which document you actually need.
1. Why B-BBEE Matters for Tenders
B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) is a transformation policy that rewards businesses contributing to economic inclusion.
In tenders, your B-BBEE status contributes points under the 80/20 or 90/10 scoring system:
- Higher B-BBEE levels = more points
- More points = higher chance of winning
Example: A Level 1 contributor gets the maximum points, while a non-compliant business gets zero.
2. Understanding the Categories: EME vs QSE
Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME)
- Annual turnover: R0 – R10 million
- Automatically qualifies for a B-BBEE affidavit
- Affidavit must be signed and stamped at a Commissioner of Oaths
- Level is based on Black ownership:
- 100% Black-owned = Level 1
- 51% or more Black-owned = Level 2
- Less than 51% = Level 4
Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE)
- Annual turnover: R10 million – R50 million
- If 51% or more Black-owned → also qualify for an affidavit
- If less than 51% Black-owned → must get a B-BBEE certificate from an accredited verification agency
3. Affidavit vs Certificate: The Key Difference
Factor | Affidavit | Certificate |
|---|---|---|
Who needs it? | EMEs (turnover < R10m) and 51%+ Black-owned QSEs | QSEs <51% Black-owned; all Medium & Large enterprises |
Cost | Free (just sworn before Commissioner of Oaths) | Paid (verification agency charges fees) |
Validity | 12 months | 12 months |
Where to get it | Commissioner of Oaths | SANAS-accredited B-BBEE verification agency |
4. Which One Do You Need?
- If you are an SME under R10m turnover (EME) → Affidavit
- If you are a QSE (R10m – R50m) and 51% Black-owned → Affidavit
- If you are a QSE (R10m – R50m) and less than 51% Black-owned → Certificate
- If you are above R50m turnover → Certificate
5. Common Mistakes SMEs Make
- Submitting an expired affidavit (older than 12 months)
- Paying money for an affidavit when it’s free
- Forgetting to update turnover category when business grows
- Submitting an affidavit when a certificate is required (leads to disqualification)
- Not keeping ownership records up to date
6. How etenderportal.co.za Helps
- Tender listings clearly show B-BBEE as a requirement
- Our guides explain which document is correct for your business size
- You can learn step-by-step how to prepare your compliance pack without wasting money
7. Final Tips
- Always check your annual turnover to determine if you’re EME or QSE
- If you qualify for an affidavit, use it—it’s free and accepted in all tenders
- Renew your affidavit or certificate every 12 months
- Keep both digital and stamped physical copies for tender submissions