President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed the African National Congress (ANC) party’s commitment to Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies, stating that they are here to stay. Ramaphosa made this statement during his closing address at the 11th ANC Limpopo elective conference on Sunday, where Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba was elected unopposed as the provincial chairperson of the ANC.
According to Ramaphosa, the ANC’s renewal agenda, as highlighted at the National General Council (NGC) last December, remains the party’s primary objective. The South African government has been working towards reindustrialising the economy for mass employment creation. Ramaphosa emphasized that this renewal must be anchored by an effective developmental plan, which includes strengthening the local government sphere to accelerate service delivery and promote infrastructure development.
B-BBEE Policies: A Cornerstone of ANC’s Economic Empowerment
Despite criticism from some of the ANC’s Government of National Unity (GNU) partners, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), Ramaphosa stated that the ANC will not turn its back on its B-BBEE policies. He said that those who call for an end to B-BBEE and affirmative action are ‘just dreaming’ because the ANC wants its people to have opportunities to advance their lives. The B-BBEE Act aims to promote economic transformation and black economic empowerment.
Renewal and Reindustrialisation
Ramaphosa also touched on the need for rural communities to benefit from the economy as the country reindustrialises. He stated that the ANC must ensure that rural areas become productive and that this should include strengthening the local government sphere to accelerate service delivery and promote infrastructure development. Some of the key areas of focus for the ANC’s renewal agenda include:
- Reindustrialising the economy for mass employment creation
- Strengthening the local government sphere to accelerate service delivery
- Promoting infrastructure development in rural areas
- Ensuring that rural communities benefit from the economy
The ANC’s commitment to B-BBEE policies is a significant aspect of the party’s economic empowerment agenda. As the country continues to navigate its economic challenges, the ANC’s renewal agenda and B-BBEE policies are likely to play a crucial role in shaping the country’s economic future.
