The Democratic Alliance (DA) has launched the Economic Inclusion for All Bill, a proposed alternative to Black Economic Empowerment (BEE).
The party said the new bill would promote fairness, transparency, and growth by focusing on “needs-based empowerment” instead of race.
The party’s head of policy Mat Cuthbert said BEE, a policy strongly backed by the ANC, its government of national unity (GNU) partner, had failed to uplift the majority of black South Africans despite claiming to represent and empower them.
MILLIONS LIVE IN POVERTY
“Since the ANC’s BEE policy was first introduced in 2003, conditions have significantly worsened for the people it claims to represent,” Cuthbert said in a statement on Monday.
Citing high unemployment and persistent poverty, Cuthbert added that there was no evidence to substantiate the continuation of the policy which benefited the politically connected.
“Instead of redressing the injustices of the past, this policy has created a feeding trough for the ANC’s cadres who have benefited at the expense of the poor and vulnerable,” he said.
HOW THE DA’s BILL DIFFERS FROM BEE
The party said its Economic Inclusion for All Bill would align with Section 217 of the Constitution, which governs public procurement to ensure fairness, equity, and transparency.
The DA said the bill focuses on supporting small businesses, cutting red tape, and promoting inclusive growth instead of using race as a deciding factor.
