South Africa: Ntshavheni Reaffirms B-BBEE As Key Instrument for Economic Redress

What the report says

South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has defended broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) as a central mechanism for economic redress, according to a report carried by SAnews.gov.za and distributed by AllAfrica. Speaking in Tshwane, she said the policy remains tied to the country’s constitutional commitment to address the legacy of apartheid and to broaden access to ownership, skills and opportunities for black South Africans.

Ntshavheni framed B-BBEE as more than a policy preference, arguing that redress is a legal and social obligation. She said the framework is meant to support groups historically excluded from the economy, including women, workers, young people, people with disabilities and rural communities. The report said she pointed to employment and enterprise-development outcomes linked to the policy, including youth work opportunities and support for black-owned businesses through equity equivalent investment programmes.

She also addressed concerns about investors, saying B-BBEE is not presented as a barrier to foreign capital but applies where firms need state licences in sectors such as mining and ICT. For multinationals that cannot comply through traditional equity sales, the article said she highlighted alternative routes under the framework, including investment in skills, suppliers and development projects.

The comments come amid continuing debate over South Africa’s transformation agenda. The report said Ntshavheni argued that attracting investment should go hand in hand with building local processing, beneficiation and manufacturing capacity, so that growth is more broadly shared.