The Black Business Council (BBC) announced today that its leadership will be meeting with Government, trade union organisations, various women and youth organisations, churches and other stakeholders to discuss:
- job creation

- the alleviation and eradication of poverty

- the implementation and acceleration of Government’s transformation and broad based black economic empowerment policies and laws

- the formulation and implementation of strategies which will result in black owned and controlled companies playing a leadership role in certain key industries

- the unity of black business as well as the unity of black and white business

- land reform and redistribution

- South Africa’s ability to continue to be globally competitive and attractive to domestic and foreign investment

The Chairman of the BBC Mr Patrice Motsepe says: “There is a growing feeling of frustration and despondency amongst black entrepreneurs and professionals, as well as amongst black youth and women and the organisations that represent them; of being ostracised and marginalised from participating and benefiting from the growth and development of our economy. These problems are separate and apart from the enormous challenges of creating jobs and eradicating povertywhich confronts us all.”
“This is a recipe for long term political and economic instability and is definitely not in the interest of business. Black and white business should unite and work together to deal with these serious challenges and contribute towards creating a culture and environment of inclusivity and participation by all South Africans at all levels of the economy,” says Motsepe.
The BBC also announced the formation of a negotiating team which will be led by the President of FABCOS, Mr Mxolisi Zwane to engage in discussions with BUSA.
The view of the BBC is that BUSA was formed, not only to promote and protect the interest of business but also to lead the process of ensuring that the consequences of the legacy of apartheid which discriminated and excluded black business and professionals from participating in the economy and various industries, were redressed.
The future participation of black business and professional organisations in BUSA is dependent, amongst other issues, on its genuine commitment to remedy the structural deficiencies and failures, which compelled the BBC members to suspend their participation. The structural deficiencies are in respect of BUSA’s constitution, the under-representation of black organisations in BUSA and disagreements on important policy and governance matters.
Motsepeconcluded by saying: “It is in the long term interest of business to work together with Government, labour, churches, women and youth groups and other stakeholders to ensure that all South Africans and in particular, historically disadvantaged persons and their communities, participate and benefit from the development and growth of our economy.”