The history of BEE and where those first BEE deals are now?

Loading player...
GUEST - Duma Gqubule - Research associate at the Social Policy Initiative



In 1994, the ANC went to the general elections with a blueprint that was called the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), which said:

“The domination of business activities by white business and the exclusion of black people and women from the mainstream of economic activity are causes for great concern for the reconstruction and development process. A central objective of the RDP is to deracialise the economy completely, through focused policies of black economic empowerment.”



From 1996 to 2022, there were 1 045 black economic empowerment (BEE) transactions on the JSE that were worth R668 billion, according to an analysis of the Ernst & Young annual reviews of mergers and acquisitions during the 1990s and the Dealmakers database after 2000.
12 Jun 2025 3PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

BofA Slashes SA Growth Forecast as Inflation Surges

Bank of America has cut South Africa’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 1.3%, warning that higher oil and fertilizer prices will keep inflation above 4% for most of the year. Economist Tatonga Rusike explains
23 Apr 3PM 11 min

Understanding SA’s First Wealth Score

Franc unveils South Africa’s first-ever Wealth Score, revealing that financial habits—not income—are the strongest predictor of financial health. We unpack why SA’s national score is 45/100 and the behavior gap between knowing and doing with Dr. Thomas Brennan, founder and CEO of Franc.
23 Apr 3PM 13 min

Clicks Lifts HEPS 8% Despite Warehouse Disruptions.

Clicks delivered firm interim results with diluted HEPS up 8.1%, even as warehouse system delays cost an estimated R175 million in lost sales. CEO Bertina Engelbrecht discusses pharmacy growth, trading margins, and festive‑season competition.
23 Apr 2PM 16 min