Despite the economic successes of the past 10 years, "vast racial and gender inequalities in the distribution of and access to wealth, income, skills and employment persist" and, "as a consequence, our economy continues to perform below its full potential", the state observes in its Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) strategy document. BEE charters for the mining and financial sectors were recently announced. [refers to Sasol, Absa, Standard Bank, First National Bank (part of FirstRand), Nedcor]