Zibi rejects DA call to scrap BEE, calls for broader economic empowerment debate

By Thebe Mabanga

Songezo Zibi, leader of Rise Mzansi and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), has rejected the Democratic Alliance’s call to scrap Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) and replace it with an Economic Inclusion for All Bill.

Zibi spoke to Inside Politics following a retreat of leaders from the ten parties that make up the Government of National Unity (GNU).

The DA’s proposal was not discussed at the meeting.

“We need to talk about BEE broadly and not just in the narrow sense of BEE certificates,” Zibi said, reiterating Rise Mzansi’s stance and rejecting the DA’s call.
“I disagree with it,” he added.

The DA has called for BEE to be scrapped, including all references in legislation, and for the closure of the B-BBEE Commission within the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).

In its place, the party proposed a bill that uses procurement