Mashatile outlines B-BBEE review as a crucial step for economic equality

Deputy President Paul Mashatile said black empowerment was not an option as doing so would be abandoning transformation. Thetwo-phased review of the empowerment framework,Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment(B-BBEE), will be led by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and his department. Responding toDA Deputy Chief Whip Baxolile Nodada during the question-and-answer session in the National Assembly on Thursday, Mashatile saidthe first phase of the review will refine and assess subordinate laws, including regulations, codes of good conduct, guidelines, and practice notes that fall within Tau’s legislative authority.

He also said the second phase, which will be the prerogative of Parliament, will involve the review of the Broad-Based Black Empowerment Act for substantive amendments. “This process will also be supported by theB-BBEE Commissionand other oversight bodies to ensure credibility and enforcement. The review will focus on strengthening B-BBEE by shifting from compliance to measurable outcomes.” Mashatile added that the review would further strengthen the execution of constitutional imperative of reimagining economic transformation and accelerating the participation of black South Africans in the economy.

He said abandoningB-BBEEwas not an option as doing so would be abandoning transformation. “B-BBEE is a necessary tool for transformation, essential for achieving economic equality, and we’re going to proceed to implement it,” Mashatile said. DA MP Michael Bargraim asked whether thereview will take into consideration alternatives like the DA’s Economic Inclusion for All Bill and whether the policy that created most jobs and narrowed inequality will be implemented.

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In response, Mashatile said there will bepublic hearings to enable all South Africans to make submissions. “So, if the DA has some clever ideas, you are allowed to bring them forward. We will look into them,” he said. “If we think they don’t make sense, we will throw them away, but we’ll give you a chance to bring them because I think it’s only fair that we should hear how you think you are going to help us.”

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