The nascent Black Business Council (BBC), which was convened last month after a number of black business formations expressed unhappiness with their treatment within Business Unity South Africa (Busa), reported on Monday that it had met with President Jacob Zuma on September 30 and that the President had been appraised of issues relating to the formation of the BBC, as well as its strategic plans.

A 35-person BBC delegation, led by the steering committee chairperson Patrice Motsepe, reported that it had outlined resolutions taken at the recent Black Business Summit, held in early September, and informed Zuma about the work that the BBC had done since that event.

At the summit, Zuma called for unity between black and white business. But the black business formations present nevertheless moved ahead with a resolution to temporary suspend their participation in Busa.

BBC spokesperson Sandile Zungu described the meeting with Zuma as “extremely useful” and said it welcomed the “frankness” of the exchange.

Similar strategic consultations had been lined up for October, prior to the official launch of the BBC, which had been earmarked for the end of November.

The organisation recently also pledged to enter into discussion with Busa with the intention of dealing with the issue that had resulted in the walkout by black business.

Foundation for African Business and Consumer Services president Mxolisi Zwane would lead an 11-member team in the negotiations with Busa, which had itself welcomed the formation of BBC.

No timeframe had yet been outlined for concluding the talks. However, Motsepe indicated recently that black and white business should be in a position to articulate a single position ahead of the African National Congress policy conference next year.