By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider

Commotion within the Government of National Unity (GNU) continues to stir with the latest call for amendments to be made regarding the Black Economic Empowerment Act (BEE) as the ANC reject Democratic Alliance’s (DA) proposal to eliminate the policy.

The DA proposal is to replace the race centered aspect behind BEE and replace it with a more inclusive approach and they elected to outline this new proposal as “Economic Inclusion For All” which will focus on helping all those in need of benefitting from this policy.

 The DA have argued that since the inclusion of BEE in 2003, there has been a lack of evidence in its effectiveness and has actually been selective on who can actually benefit from the policy and has left the majority of South Africans in poverty and without employment.

 During his visit in Soshanguve, Pretoria on Monday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as ANC President has clarified that any amendments made to this policy have to align constitutionally.

“Currently, we have a BEE policy that is rooted and underpinned by our constitution, so if anyone wants an amendment to the BEE Act, they must table their proposals, and they must be taken for discussion in Parliament. At the moment, BEE policies, legislation, and regulation apply, without any dilution whatsoever,” said Ramaphosa in his address at Soshanguve.

The ANC has expressed that although they will not intend to scrap the policy, they are open to holding any discussions regarding the policy, as expressed specifically by ANC spokesperson Mahengi Bhengu.

“The DA foresees a South Africa that is without transformation laws starting with BBBEE (Broad-Based-Black-Economic-Empowerment). This is an idea that has to be challenged by any democracy-loving people and patriots. Many of whom are beneficiaries of this particular policy” said Bhengu.

Bhengu highlighted that many black individuals within corporate or private sectors, some of which have gone to occupy leadership positions have been beneficiaries of BEE.

 “We are a country that is founded in the culture of dialogue, and if the DA was sincere about their intentions, they would be part of the national dialogue process, which they have abandoned. But the ANC is willing to engage” said Bhengu further.