Many see empowerment only in terms of redress — "healing the ills of apartheid". If you approach it using that negative narrative, naturally you’ll have people rebelling. We need to couch the public discourse on transformation and BEE in positive terms so that those who must participate in it will receive it sympathetically, not as a propaganda tool, but so that it starts to be perceived as a real win for the country. We need an explanation that presents the silver lining, so that people say, "Well, here’s an opportunity," and look at the long-term benefits.
via www.bdlive.co.za
Let's put this badly written rambling piece in context. Zungu is general secretary of the Black Business Council. He recently served on the panel selected to reform the BBBEE codes.
That should explain everything. Mr Zungu designed the codes to suit HIS specific needs. It's so simple, allow his businesses to be promoted to a level 1 for the first three years of operation. It works like this. First year a startup, certificate expires within a year - level 1. Next level 1 certificate comes from the first year of operation - turnover less than R50m, expires at the end of year 2. Third certificate is based on year 2's performance which still turns less than R50m. Third year his tenders start seriously rolling in. For three years he has had a 10 to 20 point advantage over his competitors (who aren't black).
His article argues that BEE is a "fiscal imperative" and it is "critical that the nation accepts that, for the good of us all, the disadvantaged and the poverty-stricken are cared for and turned into active economic contributors." And then fails to see the irony when he says "it is important that the long-term growth and sustainability aspects of broad-based BEE are argued clearly and that business leaders support them."
If the irony escapes you then consider this. Here is a man who drafted the codes which are recognised as being utter rubbish. He then foists them on the economy without actually proof reading them, nor considering the comments received by business about them. And now he says that business leaders now need to support them. And they need to look at the "long term benefits." It's patently obvious that his BEE codes have no long-term benefits for anyone else other than him and his cronies.
Let's not also forget that he is quoted as saying that the Arcellor Mittal deal was "money for jam". He's a fake, an ANC patsy. There's no integrity here.
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