IRR webinar: breaking the BEE barrier to growth in SA

Criticisms of BEE persisted in 2026, spurred on by evidence that some 60% of the net value redistributed by pre-2014 ownership deals in mining had gone to around 46 “BEE entrepreneurs” – each of whom had probably gained between R2bn and R3.7bn.

By contrast, most black South Africans continue to be hurt by BEE rules in mining and elsewhere, which curtail investment, growth and employment – and have helped raise the joblessness rate to 33% against a global average of 5% in 2026.

Opinion polling by the IRR and the Social Research Foundation (SRF) shows that most South Africans see little value in BEE and would like its key requirements to be scrapped. By contrast, the ANC wants to further ratchet up the rules. As in the past, it keeps emphasising the good BEE is supposed to achieve, while ignoring the damage it does in practice. 

An alternative is vital. In “Breaking the BEE Barrier to Growth,” the latest paper in the IRR's “Blueprint for Growth” series, IRR Head of Policy Research Dr Anthea Jeffery highlights the failures of BEE and presents Economic Empowerment for the Disadvantaged (EED) as a sound solution.

Join us next Tuesday, 20 October, for the online launch of the paper. Dr Jeffery and the IRR's Terence Corrigan will discuss how EED would stimulate growth and help empower the poor in meaningful ways.

Webinar details:

Date: Tuesday, 20 October 2026

Time: 10h00 – 11h00

Speakers: Dr Anthea Jeffery, IRR Head of Policy Research and author of the report, and IRR Projects and Publications Manager Terence Corrigan

Register: https://streamyard.com/watch/5v6F2AKdFFrf

Media contact: Anthea Jeffery, IRR Head of Policy Research Tel: +27 11 482 7221; Email: ajj@irr.org.za

Media enquiries: Michael Morris, Head of Media Tel: +2766 302 1968 Email: michael@irr.org.za