by Dan Avutia
“If feathers don’t ruffle, nothing flies”
J Raine
The title is a slight oxymoron, but honestly speaking, there is no political freedom without economic freedom. The apartheid stalwarts and generation X leaders in South Africa have failed to collaborate and implement the broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) legislature accordingly to emancipate the majority of the African population. The apartheid stalwarts and Generation X group born between 1946 and 1976 are the primary liberators and beneficiaries of the BBBEE opportunities post-apartheid, where many individuals assumed minority shareholder roles in large multinational companies, but the majority of these individuals have built unsustainable companies with minimal employment opportunities that are heavily reliant on political affiliations.
The millennial generation, born between 1977 and 1994 were afforded improved education and subsequent corporate opportunities on the backdrop of an “equal” South Africa but the most successful millennials are characterised by diligence and subservience traits towards the European managers in the private sector, as the state-owned and African companies have failed to employ or fund talented millennials. The Gen Z born post-1994 consist of nearly half the South African population and seemingly this group has refused to go gently and instead has been instrumental in challenging the tertiary education status quo, pivotally demanding free decolonized education for all during their “Fees must fall” protests.
Black consciousness is an attitude of black pride and black excellence, primarily erasing the inferiority complex indoctrinated by the oppressive apartheid regime. The father of black consciousness Bantu Stephen Biko must be rolling in his grave after witnessing the self-obsessed, disunity and mercenary African leaders. Are you able to name one Africa leader of a state-owned enterprise that has lasted longer than the four-year political cycles? The apartheid stalwarts and Generation X political leaders have failed to acknowledge that the legislature emanating from the CODESA negotiation has failed to economically empower the majority of Africans.
“If feathers don’t ruffle, nothing flies”. The liberation struggle leaders need to accelerate the transition and preparation of millennial leaders to execute on the redistribution of land and semi-privatisation of key state assets by competent African organisations.
Although the apartheid stalwarts or more appropriately the Bantustan leaders that led the CODESA negotiations believed that legislature amendment was sufficient to empower Africans and that the amicable resolution of apartheid atrocities was sustainable for a “new South Africa”. Two decades later, it is clear that the BBBEE legislature has failed to empower the majority of Africans. Who are the parties responsible to address the poor implementation of the BBBEE legislature? African Generation X executives? African apartheid stalwart politicians? Business Unity South Africa (BUSA)? Black Business Council (BBC)? Black Management Forum (BMF)?
“it’s all too clear, we’re on our own”
Bob weir
The obvious solution is inherent black consciousness where BUSA, BMF and BBC collaborate as one voice to address the poor transformation and failure of BBBEE initiatives to economically emancipate the majority of Africans. The SA low economic growth results in the employment of only 1 in 2 new entrants into the job market, which is accelerating the 60% youth unemployment. The small, medium & Micro Enterprise (SMME) businesses employ half of the population and are responsible for a third of the gross domestic product, this is the best route to absorbing the unemployed population by creating sustainable economic growth in SA.
“Analysis does not transform consciousness.”
Jiddu Krishnamurti
It is critical to appoint selfless, competent and visionary leaders with conviction in the corporate and political spheres. This article or similar analysis has failed to transform the consciousness of our existing leaders in putting South Africa first. Consequently, the BUSA, BMF and BBC organisations need to rally behind African corporate and political leaders in the transformation discussions, instead of attacking one another for social status and popularity. The African entrepreneur professionals and SMMEs must be funded sustainably or handed medium to long term contracts to create continuity and address the high unemployment. SOEs need to put trust in the many competent and ethical African leaders to govern and build their businesses in the country.
In closing, our great country will fail to maintain its status as an African superpower or resemble the developing market giants in China and India, if our current leaders fail to acknowledge the systematic shortcomings and need for innovative/exuberant leaders in key corporate and political roles. Now is the time to prepare a seat at the table for Generation Z and millennial professionals. I would like to end the article with one of my favourite quotes, “zemka inkomo magwala ndini”- literally meaning the cows are being stolen you cowards, but in a figurative sense, wake up and defend your heritage or in the context of the article defend your beloved South Africa. Izwe lethu ma”Afrika!!!