BBC president defends BEE
THE newly elected president of the Black Business Council (BBC) has come out strongly in support of the black economic empowerment (BEE) policy, saying it was a “work in progress”.
A debate recently ensued around BEE when the DA’S federal council endorsed a decision to dump the policy, saying it was not working.
Businessman Sandile Zungu, who was appointed a week ago, was of the view that BEE should continue even as he admitted it needed to be improved.
“The BEE policy or the environment is evolving. People tend to forget that 25 years ago there was no BEE and 15 years ago people were doing deals on the basis of who they knew and those with big political names were doing all the (big) deals and now we have BEE codes, which basically encourage organisations to do BEE in an orderly fashion. It’s work in progress; it’s improving,” he said.
“It’s still not operating at an optimal level, but talk of throwing the baby out with the bathwater would be irresponsible.
“You can tweak it, you can improve it; BEE is here to stay in the short to medium term – for as long the ownership of the economy is very much in the hands of the minority and the exclusion of the majority of black people is in place.”
A RESPECTED BUSINESS LEADER FROM KZN WHO HAS JUST ASSUMED AN INFLUENTIAL NATIONAL POSITION SAYS HE WON’T CRITICISE CONTROVERSIAL BUSINESS FORUMS LIKE THE DELANGOKUBONA BEFORE MEETING THEM, WRITES
SIPHELELE BUTHELEZI
Zungu’s election was warmly welcomed, with many saying he was the right candidate to restore the credibility of the organisation following the loss of trust after its former president, Danisa Baloyi, was accused of fraud and corruption after a donation of R5 million went missing.
“I came in as president at a time when there had been one or two incidents which damaged the confidence of the public. I must build trust and restore unity within the Business Council’s ranks so that when we go out to lobby we do so from a position of credibility,” he said.
“I have never received so many compliments and messages of support and encouragement. It has been heart-warming and flattering.
“I have taken it to heart and have appreciated how much people love the council, but, most importantly, how much people want the council to succeed.
“I have taken it as an indicator of how disappointed they were when the Black Business Council seemed to have fallen to its lowest point,” he said.
He said he was ready for the task, which would include bringing about changes and making an impact which would see the growth of black businesses.
“I am equal to the task. I told the national council that I wanted this job and I am excited they have tasked me with this responsibility.
It’s good to have a person who wants the job, who doesn’t feel imposed,” he said.
He reiterated the council’s role was to lobby for black business on matters of legislation, trade inclusion in the mainstream economy and ensuring radical economic transformation.
“I believe that the future of this country, if black people feel included and they have a role to play, is bright.”
Zungu said apart from the challenges, the council had recorded some successes. He mentioned the establishment of the department of small business, which he said was as a result of its lobbying for the support of small and medium business.
“Another area where the council, since its formation, has had an impact is the notion of the creation of black industrialists.
“Before the council was formed, there was a lot of talk about tenderpreneurs, that black businesses were just there to grab contracts and make a quick buck.
“Since its establishment, we have set up a new narrative, which is about the creation of black businesses involved in value creation in the economy, which produce goods and deliver services and are involved in import substitution and in the recreation of our industrial capacity,” said Zungu.
He also spoke harshly of businesses that were involved in “ill practices” and corruption, saying the organisation would never support any of its members should they be implicated.
“If our members are engaged in corrupt practices, we are saying ‘you are on your own, we will not be there to protect you’.
“We support the commission looking into state capture; we will encourage and support our members who might be required to testify,” he said.
Zungu said he also intended to recruit controversial business forums such as the Delangokubona SA – he said they needed to be heard.
“Don’t throw stones at the dogs when you’re not familiar with the issues. As the president of the council, I will not fall into the trap of criticising them when I have not really engaged them.
“Yes, what one reads in the newspapers about the invasion of building sites and stopping construction is something that should be of concern to us.
But, first and foremost, I want to meet the leadership of Delangokubona, engage them and possibly end up recruiting some to become members of the council,” said Zungu.