The Black Business Council (BBC), which was formally relaunched at an elaborate ceremony in Midrand on Thursday, confirmed that unity negotiations with Business Unity South Africa (Busa) had "deadlocked" and that it would be moving to establish itself as a distinct business voice over the coming months.

Newly-installed president Ndaba Ntsele, who took over from Patrice Motsepe, indicated that talks with Busa, which got under way formally in November, had broken down over the divergent views on the principle of "equality", with Busa indicating that BBC demands in this regard were "unworkable".

Head of policy Mxolisi Zwane denied that BBC had "closed the door" on further unity talks. But he said the eight negotiation sessions had not born fruit and had reached a point where an impression was created that Busa was not negotiating in good faith.

For that reason, BBC would now seek separate representation in various social-dialogue platforms, including the National Economic Development and Labour Council. The BBC would also be establishing executive and research capacity over the coming months to enable it to engage with the key policy and legislative debates that would affect business in general and black busines in particular.

The launch itself received strong support from government, with no less than four Ministers - Pravin Gordhan, Ebrahim Patel, Mildred Oliphant and Tina Joemat-Pettersson - addressing the gathering.

In addition, Congress of South African Trade Unions president Sidumo Dlamini and Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa head Phathekile Holomisa also spoke in favour of the BBC relaunch - the body was dissolved in 2003 when it merged with Business South Africa to forge Busa.

Dlamini said the formation was not born of racism or exclusion, but was instead being developed to foster transformation and a greater inclusion of all South Africans in the sharing of the country's wealth.

Secretary-general Sandile Zungu said the organisation was open to white members, but not those that maintained affiliations with Busa. Three such organisations had indicated that they might be applying for membership, while Nigerian and Zimbabwean business people had also expressed an interest in joining. BBC currently had 17 affiliate members.

Busa said it had noted that BBC had chosen to operate as a separate entity and said it welcomed black business capacitating itself  to fulfill its contribution towards a radically transformed economy.

But it described allegations are made that Busa was riding roughshod over black business interests as as "incorrect and unfortunate".

It said it remained committed to engagement with the BBC, adding that it was in the national interest for both the BBC and Busa to continue to explore innovative ways to ensure the realisation of a unified representative voice of business in South Africa.

"Busa stays committed to engagement in good faith with the BBC in a manner that will ensure the reality of an inclusive, united and effective business organisation."