Affirmative Action and Black Economic Empowerment will stay for as long as ANC is in power – Ramaphosa

3 November 2022

President Cyril Ramaphosa once again confirmed today that Affirmative Action (AA) and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) will be a part of South Africa for as long as the ANC is in power.

The President made this statement in reply to a question from the leader of the FF Plus (Dr Pieter Groenewald) about retaining AA and BEE, despite growing resistance to its detrimental impact.

The question posed in the National Assembly was whether government would consider doing away with the destructive policy seeing as it is no longer serving any purpose.

It does not address inequality and is a serious stumbling block for the country's economy.

The President's reply made it clear that he is totally out of touch with the realities of the country's fiscal crisis and struggling economy.

He does not believe that AA and BEE have any disadvantages, and reiterated the ANC rhetoric that it is meant to redress the injustices of the past.

In reality, however, the majority, most of which are black people, is still poverty-stricken while ANC cadres have, in predominantly controversial ways, become filthy rich mainly through AA and BEE.

His reply is typical of ANC propaganda that blames everything on the past. Affirmative Action, or rather race-based action, has left a deep trail of economic destruction across the country.

The FF Plus agrees that due to flaws in the system, some people with an abundance of potential were never able to reach their full potential.

They ought to be actively supported to do so. But to blindly enforce racial quotas is a grave injustice.

Skin colour cannot be used as a generalised indicator of disadvantage.

The sooner South Africa gets rid of the ANC, the sooner its people will be liberated from this burden of injustices.

Issued by Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus leader, 3 November 2022