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<\/a>Despite Ramaphosa’s position that BEE serves the majority, the true benefactors of South Africa’s empowerment policies have come into question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Critics have said that the reason the state defends BEE and transformation policies so militantly is because they are part of the very few who actually benefit from the programmes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Research conducted by Professor William Gumede of the Wits School of Governance posited<\/strong><\/a> that BEE has led to increased poverty, unemployment, and inequality in South Africa, with only a few really benefiting.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gumede stated that the government had asked him to conduct an assessment of black economic empowerment in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said it was very clear that BEE only benefits a tiny group of politically connected people linked to the African National Congress (ANC) and trade unions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cConservatively, R1 trillion has been moved between under 100 people since 1994. The same people have been empowered and re-empowered over and over,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSouth Africa\u2019s BEE model has created a model of corruption because people set up companies just to get a contract.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt has also been highly critical<\/strong><\/a> of BEE and Ramaphosa in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said that Ramaphosa, a rand billionaire, had become incredibly wealthy through BEE, not through building successful businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The president was previously involved in various companies, including the Shanduka Group, and held directorships in prominent firms like Bidvest, MTN, and Mondi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n