Abstract
South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy was introduced to dismantle apartheid-era economic disparities; however, its corporate-driven model has fostered symbolic compliance rather than substantive transformation. This study critically examines BEE’s structural limitations, specifically its failure to generate mass employment, its susceptibility to elite capture, and the prevalence of "fronting" practices. By juxtaposing BEE with affirmative action frameworks in Malaysia, India, and the United States, this research elucidates why ownership redistribution alone has failed to translate into inclusive economic mobility. Employing a qualitative policy analysis, this study synthesizes unemployment trajectories, implementation distortions, and systemic governance inefficiencies to highlight the constraints undermining BEE’s transformative capacity. Findings indicate that without labor-intensive industrialization, SME growth, and vocational training, BEE will continue to benefit a politically connected minority while failing to dismantle systemic exclusion. To ensure meaningful redress, BEE must transition into a development-driven framework that prioritizes employment absorption, entrepreneurship, and structural equity. This recalibration is essential for South Africa’s economic justice and sustainable transformation.
Recommended Citation
Uz Zaman, Nasim
(2025)
"How is South Africa's Black Economic Empowerment Policy (BEE) Addressing Historical Inequalities and Promoting Inclusive Development as of 2024?,"
Southern African Journal of Policy and Development: Vol. 8:
No.
2, Article 4.
Available at:
https://scholarship.law.cornell.edu/sajpd/vol8/iss2/4
