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Business Unity SA (BUSA), the apex umbrella business organisation of South Africa, notes that the Black Business Council (BBC) has chosen to operate as a separate entity. BUSA would like to reiterate that it is in the interests of South Africa that business remains united.

Business South Africa (BSA) and the Black Business Council (BBC) disbanded to form BUSA. It was established in 2003 and is a confederation of national business organisations including chambers of commerce and industry, professional associations, corporate associations and unisectoral organisations, as well as a Board of Trustees comprising more than 60 top South African business leaders. Embedded in the organisation’s modus operandi is the constitutionally provided principle of consensus decision making.

Thus BUSA began an organizational review process in February 2011 aimed at reviewing the structures of the organization. This process is still underway and membership input has now been solicited based on research and benchmarking studies conducted.

Built into BUSA's constitution are the founding provisions of the South African Constitution of non-racialism and non-sexism. It is therefore regrettable to learn that the BBC believes BUSA to be driving the agenda of “white” business.

BUSA is not open to any power-sharing arrangement that splits the organisation’s members along racial lines. In fact, it might just serve to reverse the gains already made in mainstreaming the economic transformation agenda of the country. Business needs to come together, strong and united in their resolve to eradicate inequality, poverty and unemployment.

BUSA remains unwaverin in its pursuit of articulating economic transformation. It therefore remains incorrect and unfortunate that allegations are made that BUSA represents white business interests and that, by implication, it is riding roughshod over black business interests. BUSA is currently working closely with government and other social partners in rolling out economic transformation interventions such as the New Growth Path. The first step in the implementation of the NGP has been the accords signed with other social partners. These include basic education, skills development, local procurement and the green economy. It is regrettable that we are not doing this together, as business united.

BUSA remains committed to engagement with the BBC in a manner that will ensure the reality of an inclusive, united, strong and effective organization. BUSA also aims to ensure that organised business plays a constructive role in the country’s economic growth, development and transformation goals, in achieving an environment in which businesses of all sizes and in all sectors can thrive, expand and be competitive both nationally and internationally.

It is therefore the view of BUSA that it must be in the national interest for both the BBC and BUSA to remain committed to the engagement process and that together we can continue to explore innovative ways to ensure the realisation of a unified representative voice of Business in South Africa.