Dimension Data remains committed to seeking out a black economic empowerment (BEE) partner to take a significant stake in the group.
The group`s main empowerment equity investments to date include a 49% stake in Choice Technologies, 49% of Plessey, and 37% of M-IT.
Strategy and technology director Derek Wilcocks says the group has not scored well in terms of equity ownership with regard to the criteria laid down in the Black Economic Empowerment Bill.
A recent survey by rating group Empowerdex ranked Dimension Data as the sixth most empowered JSE-listed IT company, but that was because it received good marks for skills development and corporate social investment.
Wilcocks says the companies ranked higher than Dimension Data overall are those with direct BEE shareholding.
Wilcocks says there are several challenges in finding an equity partner. These include the fact that the size of the group means it is unlikely a BEE company can afford to pay cash.
However, the group is seeking a partner that can bring new business, pay some cash or bring operational assets into the deal.
Human resources director Vusi Dlamini says the group is also planning to have black executive directors make up 40% of the board by 2006.
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