The heated debates about employment equity and affirmative action have over the years centred on the principle of whether these policies are racist or not. Criticism has been levelled against such policies because they appear to entrench racism in society rather than create new values for a non-racist society. The concept of Black Economic Empowerment has even been called a reverse in racism!

Despite the debates and different viewpoints, BEE is required and there are benefits from this strategy.

Acquiring acceptable BEE status in not necessarily only about black ownership; but on a broad-based scorecard, which allows flexibility to score points in areas such as employment equity, skills development, procurement, enterprise development, and corporate social investment This makes it possible for traditional white-owned companies to have a better status than some black-owned companies.

Some of the benefits of and reasons for embracing the BEE process include:

1. An acceptable scorecard will ensure that business is not lost to competitors that are BEE compliant. Therefore, it will safeguard existing business. The ripple effect that preferential procurement will have down the supply chain will eventually affect almost all business entities.

2. If done quickly and efficiently the opportunity will be there to gain business from non-compliant competitor business entities.

3. BEE enables all businesses to be part of a transforming and vibrant economy. The growing motor and building industries demonstrate the positive effect black purchasing power can have on stimulating the economy.

4. As economic growth takes effect to escalate profits of business entities; thereby broadening the tax base due to increased black participation in the formal business sector, this will lead to lower tax rates for all.

5. Skills development, one of the seven BEE scorecard elements, will lead to greater efficiency and competitiveness, increased productivity, and improved customer relationships.

6. Increased investment in South Africa by foreign investors.

7. Unemployment, and therefore poverty and crime, will be reduced.

It is clear from the positive attitude of the major corporations in South Africa, that there is much to gain from embracing the BEE process.