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World Service,14 Mar 2025,18 mins

Why is South Africa’s black economic empowerment policy so polarizing?

Africa Daily

Available for over a year

Black Economic Empowerment was initially introduced by former South African president Nelson Mandela in the 1990s, as one of his government’s policies. But in 2003, it was revised and changed to BBBEE: Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment. It's aim is to facilitate the much broader participation of black South Africans in the economy, thus addressing inequality. This section of the population was excluded during the years of white minority rule, leading to high levels of poverty. But some sections of the white population, including American businessman Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa, have been critical of this policy. So today Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje finds out why this law is so polarizing. Guests: Tshepo Mokoena, Kganki Matabane and Sandile Swana

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