Former President Kgalema Motlanthe has called for the expansion and strengthening of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policy, saying it remains crucial to South Africa’s economic transformation despite challenges in its implementation.
Speaking at the Frank Dialogue event in Sandton on Tuesday — which explored the history and future of the empowerment policy — Motlanthe acknowledged that while B-BBEE has faced criticism and shortcomings, its principles remain vital to building an equitable economy.
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He emphasised the importance of addressing weaknesses in the system rather than discarding it entirely.
“The challenge before us is difficult, yes but it is necessary. We cannot postpone it, we dare not weaken it with cynical attacks or reduce it to narrow patronage. We must reimagine and implement triple BEE with decisiveness, empathy and vision,” he said.
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Two Decades of B-BBEE: Policy Under Review
B-BBEE, which was first signed into law in 2003, has undergone several reforms and adjustments over the past twenty years. The policy aims to promote the participation of black South Africans in the economy, addressing inequalities created during apartheid.
Motlanthe’s comments come at a time when questions about the policy’s effectiveness and fairness continue to dominate public debate. He suggested that rather than scrapping the initiative, South Africa should focus on closing loopholes that have allowed for manipulation and abuse.
Solidarity Says B-BBEE Has Failed to Deliver Broad Benefits
However, not everyone agrees with Motlanthe’s call to strengthen the policy. The Solidarity Research Institute argued that B-BBEE has hindered investment and failed to deliver widespread economic improvement.
Head researcher Connie Mulder said the policy has largely benefited a small elite, leaving the majority of black South Africans behind.
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“First, Solidarity is not of the opinion that we should just abandon ship and do nothing. The answer is we need to start doing something else. What we’re doing at the moment is not working, it’s not achieving the outcomes that it should.
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“We’ve heard the usual suspects are getting much richer and we have seen that happen, you have a small elite that has benefited significantly but the rest of the country has not,” he said.
Mulder added that the country needs a fresh approach that achieves genuine economic growth and inclusion, rather than perpetuating inequality.
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