The African National Congress (ANC) has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of seeking to dismantle South Africa’s transformation policies, which the ANC says have brought tangible change to the lives of the majority.

The party has called on all beneficiaries of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) to defend the gains made under democracy.

This comes after the DA announced a set of reform proposals aimed at empowering state-owned entities (SOEs), which it claims offer a better alternative to B-BBEE, employment equity, and the Expropriation Act, policies the party insists must be scrapped.

Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg, DA leader John Steenhuisen said the three laws are major obstacles to economic growth.

“BBBEE and racial quotas have failed, and together with expropriation without compensation, create an environment that deters investment, growth and job creation for the majority of South Africans,” he said.

Steenhuisen added that the DA is not against transformation, but argued that current empowerment policies have failed ordinary South Africans. “These policies are simply not fair. They don’t help the millions of South Africans who just need the government to get out of the way. These policies must go,” he said.

He called for the replacement of B-BBEE and employment equity with measures based on need and merit.

In response, the ANC said that transformation policies must be continuously evaluated and discussed by all South Africans to ensure they remain aligned with the goals of democracy, social justice, and equality, as outlined in the Constitution.

“The ANC recognises that these conversations and debates must be held among all South Africans, particularly to address concerns that such policies may be unintentionally creating a new form of elitism,” said ANC spokesperson Mhlengi Bhengu-Motsiri.

“To effectively tackle any unintended consequences, the ANC believes that the discussion must be guided by scientific findings.”

The ANC said it supports the BEE Commission’s call for focused evaluation studies to assess the impact of B-BBEE, stating that such research will help ensure the policy achieves its intended purpose of building a more equitable society.

The party highlighted the recent findings of the 2023–2024 Analysis of Major B-BBEE Transactions report, which it says confirms that B-BBEE is delivering measurable benefits to ordinary South Africans.

According to the ANC, companies invested R7.2 billion in enterprise development, enabling thousands of black-owned and managed small businesses and cooperatives to grow. Supplier development reached R40.7 billion, while R64 billion was spent on skills development, with a focus on young people, women, and rural learners.

Bhengu-Motsiri said B-BBEE is rooted in the democratic framework and is designed to benefit “black South Africans, that is Africans, Coloureds and Indians, and further extends benefits to white women, who were also historically marginalised in economic participation.”

“These empowerment measures have opened pathways for millions of South Africans into business ownership, corporate leadership, and skilled employment,” she said.

“We call on all South Africans who have benefitted from these measures, including those appointed to various positions in the private sector, to stand in defence of their own gains and reject any political agenda aimed at reversing the progress made.”

As the leader of society, the ANC added that it will continue to evaluate all transformation policies to ensure they serve their intended purpose.

“Where these policies are found not to benefit those who were previously oppressed and marginalised, they will be reviewed and strengthened,” the party said.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

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