Opinion poll confirms FF Plus’ view that BEE is undesirable 

6 April 2016

A comprehensive opinion poll that the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) commissioned shows that it is a failure and that the majority of all South Africans is strongly opposed to it.

Adv. Anton Alberts, the FF Plus’ parliamentary spokesperson on Trade and Industry, says the result of the opinion poll confirms the view of the FF Plus that BEE is detrimental to the economy and that it causes unemployment and impoverishment while only a few cadres benefit.

The IRR had the poll done last year by the company MarkData, which has 30 years of experience in conducting polls. In total 2 245 people who are completely representative of the South African population participated in the poll. The results have just been released.

From this, it appears that 85% of people said that they had not at all benefited from BEE while 87% said that merit should be the determining factor in the labour market. Similarly, 78% said better education and the creation of more employment opportunities would rather set economic inequalities straight.

Also instructive is the fact that only 6% of the respondents are of the opinion that demographics should play a role in employment opportunities.

According to Adv. Alberts, this finding is in shrill contrast to the recent comments of deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, who said that the ANC would sharpen its policy on transformation “regardless of what critics say about it”.

“Just like the ANC’s uncompromising defence of a sheepish and shamefaced man as president, this is clear proof that the ANC leadership is totally out of touch with reality and does not at all take note of the opinion of the public.

“In addition, the Constitutional Court has already found that legislation which is not rationally linked to outcomes is unconstitutional.

“BEE legislation is, therefore, irrational as it has not at all succeeded in creating jobs and reducing poverty. This research is proof thereof,” Adv. Alberts said.

Issued by Adv. Anton Alberts, FF Plus parliamentary spokesperson: Economy, 6 April 2016