B-BBEE: A Decade of Progress, but the Struggle Continues
South Africa has seen real gains in Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) compliance over the last ten years, but the momentum stalled after the Covid-19 pandemic hit. That is the key finding from a new report released by the B-BBEE Commission, in partnership with the Competition Commission, the Presidential Advisory Council, and other key bodies. For a nation still wrestling with the economic scars of apartheid, the message is clear: we have taken steps forward, but the road to economic justice remains long.
The Transformation Landscape Report, which analyzed B-BBEE scorecard data from 2013 to 2023, shows that overall compliance improved significantly during that period. Yet between 2020 and 2023, there was a small but telling decline. Commissioner Tshediso Matona put it plainly: 'This report offers important insights into the gains achieved, areas of stagnation, and opportunities for accelerated transformation.' He added that the findings contribute to 'a growing body of evidence needed to strengthen policy, improve implementation, and advance a more inclusive economy.'
What Did the Report Find?
The number of entities assessed for B-BBEE compliance grew steadily over the decade, giving us a broader picture of where we stand. Exempted Micro Enterprises (EMEs) continued to lead in compliance, automatically qualifying as Level 4 contributors under the law. But the real story is in the details.
Ownership Gains, But Power Still Unequal
Ownership recorded the strongest improvement. Average scores jumped from 12.4 points (50% of available points) in 2013 to 21.4 points (86%) by 2023. That is a victory, but not a complete one. Black women ownership, while exceeding the minimum target of 10%, sat at just 13.6% in 2023. And here is the kicker: black shareholders' economic interest continued to outstrip their voting rights. That means while we own more on paper, the real decision making power has not shifted proportionately. The old structures of control remain stubbornly in place.
Skills and Enterprise Development Show Promise
Enterprise and Supplier Development improved from 19% of available points in 2013 to 66% in 2023. Skills Development rose from 17% to over 60% in the same period. These are signs that businesses are investing in black talent and supply chains. Socio-Economic Development even hit 135% of its target by 2023. But these gains are fragile and uneven.
Where Transformation Stalled
Management Control improved between 2013 and 2018, but then flatlined, reaching only 54% of available points by 2023. Transformation at board and executive level remains painfully slow. The report names Agriculture, Property, and Financial Services as the weakest sectors, with non-compliance rates of 50%, 67%, and 62% respectively in 2023. These are sectors that hold immense economic power in South Africa, and they are dragging their feet.
Matona did not mince words: 'This report confirms that South Africa has made measurable progress in implementing B-BBEE over the past decade, while also reminding us that transformation is an ongoing national project.' For those of us who have lived through the broken promises of post-1994 South Africa, this is both a reassurance and a warning. We cannot afford to lose momentum.
What Does This Mean for Black South Africans?
The report is a tool, not a trophy. It shows that B-BBEE can work when enforced and embraced. But it also exposes the sectors and structures that resist change. The Property and Financial Services sectors, for example, remain gatekeepers of wealth and opportunity. If we are serious about economic liberation, we must target these areas with stronger policy and accountability.
As black South Africans, we have seen too many reports gather dust. This one must be different. The data is clear: we have made progress, but the struggle for economic justice is far from over. The question is whether our leaders and institutions have the will to push harder, or whether they will let the gains of a decade slip away.
This report confirms that South Africa has made measurable progress in implementing B-BBEE over the past decade, while also reminding us that transformation is an ongoing national project. — Tshediso Matona, B-BBEE Commissioner
The fight for economic freedom is not just about numbers on a scorecard. It is about power, ownership, and the future of our people. Let us not mistake compliance for liberation.