Ramaphosa 'baffled' by BEE detractors
President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE), saying it is aimed at empowering the previously disadvantaged people.
BBBEE has been a topic of debate again amid criticism from billionaire Elon Musk, who has railed against the policy.
Ramaphosa answered questions from MPs in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Earlier, MPs on the communications and digital technologies committeee criticised Minister Solly Malatsi for “overstepping his authority” by using a ministerial policy directive to alter ICT sector regulations, without proper legislative amendments.
The directive seeks to ease regulatory barriers that have prevented companies such as Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service from operating in South Africa.
The draft directive, signals a potential shift in government policy, one that could permit satellite service providers like Starlink to operate without complying with the current 30% Black Economic Empowerment equity ownership requirement.
Ramaphosa says the equity laws are not aimed at discriminating anyone, but rather to redress the injustices of the past.
"We must allow more people to play an important role in our economy and this is what baffles me, by those who are opposed to Black Economic Empowerment.
"I say, what do you want to see happening? Do you want to see black people continuing to play the role of labourers, drawers of water, hewers of wood, and consumers only?
"Why can't black people be made to own productive aspects of life? Why can't they be rich as well?
“Anyone who will tell me that that is wrong, really, I think they must have their heads examined, because that cannot be the case,” Ramaphosa told MPs.
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