‘BEE made ANC elites rich, and left SA poor’ — DA takes aim at race-based empowerment

DA

Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has criticised the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act, arguing that it prioritises race over real transformation.

The party says it will instead promote a needs-based empowerment model aimed at uplifting all South Africans.

“The truth is clear for all South Africans to see – the ANC’s BEE has failed. It’s time to replace race-based policies with a system that creates jobs and growth for everyone. The DA’s Bill will deliver real empowerment for all,” the party said in a statement.

It accused the ANC of failing to lift South Africans out of poverty, noting that more than 44 million people remain impoverished while 12 million are unemployed.

“Since its inception, conditions have worsened for those it claims to empower. Instead of redressing past injustices, BEE has enriched a few politically connected insiders.”

“Under the DA’s proposed new law, called The Economic Inclusion for All Bill, preference for government business will be given to companies that make measurable contributions toward clearly defined goals – such as job creation, poverty reduction, skills development, and environmental sustainability,” said DA.

The DA has thus proposed a new law, which uses poverty as an indicator of disadvantage, instead of “the crude and divisive category of race.”

John Steenhuisen has also claimed that the ANC has abandoned the people and has called people to show support to the DA.

“BEE made ANC elites rich, and left SA poor. Choose real opportunities for all. Vote DA,” he said in a post on X.

Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram

Picture: X/@jsteenhuisen

For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com

Compiled by Anda Tolibadi

Article written by