The Black Business Council is eyeing opportunities that could emerge should a new nuclear build programme be agreed. The council was briefed by the Nuclear Energy Corporation of SA (Necsa) on Friday and the two organisations announced on Monday that they would create a business nuclear energy desk.Necsa said in a statement: “The nuclear energy desk will offer a platform for black business to interact with Necsa and other relevant entities on the nuclear new build programme. It should be a platform of information sharing‚ building experiences and networking. The desk will also provide a platform to identify training needs to develop technical skills to participate in the new build programme.“The desk is expected to immediately create a directory of black companies who can participate in various aspects of the nuclear programme in line with BBC’s objective of increasing black participation in the mainstream economy.”The meeting considered opportunities that could arise following the government’s “plan for massive industrialisation and localisation”.“The meeting also reflected on the experiences of black business with previous mega projects in South Africa‚” Necsa said in its Monday statement.“We cannot repeat mistakes of the past. The nuclear new build programme should lead to industrialisation in South Africa with meaningful participation by black business practitioners”‚ said Phumzile Tshelane‚ Necsa’s Chief Executive Officer.The President of the council‚ Ndaba Ntsele said the council and its members were ready to take up the opportunities that will arise from the nuclear new build programme.“We will not be mere spectators we have to engage government and other stakeholders as the programme unfolds. The programme must have local content at all levels”‚ said Ntsele...