The Office of Public Enterprises (OPE) was established in 1994 to champion and direct the restructuring of State-Owned Companies (SOCs) and to ensure their optimal economic and developmental impact. A Cabinet decision was taken in 1999 to accelerate the restructuring of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and the OPE was upgraded and re-designated as the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) – a National Government Department.
The DPE is the shareholder representative for Government and is mandated by the Executive to oversee a number of SOCs that operate in core sectors of the economy like Mining, Defence, Energy, Logistics and others. The DPE is the primary interface between Government and the SOCs concerned and, in addition to oversight, provides input to the formulation of policy, legislation and regulation.
To create an enabling environment in which SOCs add real economic value by focussing on operational excellence, commercial viability and fiscal prudence. This will drive developmental objectives, industrialisation, job creation and skills development.
To provide clear strategic direction and oversight to the Department’s SOCs, seeking to ensure that:
Trusting
Having confidence in the character, ability, strength and commitment of each other
Enabling
Fostering an environment that supports our people, our economy and our nation
Caring
Treating employees and others with concern, kindness and empathy
Leading
Providing clear direction, guidance and forward thinking
Transparent
Ensuring visibility and accessibility of information relating to our business practices
The DPE undertakes shareholder oversight for Government and is currently instructed by the Executive Authority to oversee core strategic State-Owned Companies. DPE is the primary interface between Government and the SOCs concerned and provides input into the formulation of policy, legislation and regulation. Currently the DPE does not have a legislated constitutional mandate. The DPE is recognised as a Government department through Proclamation No. 82 of 1999.
Eskom
Alexkor
SAFCOL
South African Express Airways (SA Express)
South African Airways (SAA)
Transnet
Denel