President Cyril Ramaphosa firmly believes that Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) is not a burden—but an investment in South Africa’s future. Speaking at the 2025 Black Business Council Summit, he credited BEE with increasing black ownership, growing women-led enterprises, and helping close the income gap. With over R1 trillion in public infrastructure spending and a R100 billion Transformation Fund on the table, he sees transformation as essential to inclusive growth.

Critics argue that B-BBEE deters investment and prioritizes redistribution over economic expansion. But can we afford to ignore the long-term benefits of empowering South Africans through opportunity, education, and enterprise?

The true strength of B-BBEE lies not only in policy, but in practical implementation. Skills development is the bridge.

Imagine a future where South Africa’s workforce is equipped with in-demand skills, where black-owned enterprises thrive through access to training, mentorship, and resources. Skills colleges can be the engine of this vision—offering practical learning that connects empowerment with employability, and transformation with tangible progress.

Let’s not abandon B-BBEE, let’s strengthen it through investment in skills. Now is the time for businesses, communities, and government to support and expand skills colleges across the country. Together, we can create a generation of empowered, job-ready South Africans who will not only benefit from transformation but lead it.

B-BBEE is not just a policy. It’s potentially waiting to be unlocked.