Polokwane has come but, apparently, not gone, which might not be such a bad thing. And muted reverberations predict more drastic consequences.
In the build-up to the conference, predictions and expectations were the order of the day. Between pronouncements from partisan “spokespersons” and the ANC itself, the audience — common South Africans — could have been easily confused about the cause of conflict germinated by differences in personalities, the need to change policies or the emphasis placed on reviewing implementation strategies.
But, those interested in transformation are keen to see if, post-Polokwane, there are plans for changes in this aspect of the country’s socio-economic landscape, primarily in BEE. The aspects of socio-economic transformation that might still need to be explored and firmer viewpoints generated should include:
- Providing a proper socio-economic and political context for different transformative interventions to establish how they should align so as to result in delivery of a better life for all. Focusing on BEE, the differing perceptions and expectations of this process, illustrates that for various groups, particularly among the beneficiaries themselves, there is a dissonance in how they view this process. We have to avoid expending resources making superficial changes where there is a fundamental difference of views. Even among alliance partners, there are varying views. New ways need to be found to harness views to provide thought leadership.
- Creating timeframes and milestones for the transformative interventions. Depressing questions that black people have to deal with ad nauseum are: How long is this going to take? Are we alright now? Is it time to revert to “normalcy”? Selective memory prevents such people from remembering how thorough the exclusion process was. It is therefore important that discussions on milestones and timeframes are encouraged, led by political, academic, the community and business people. Otherwise we might have to rely on obscure concepts, such as increasing the number of “black diamonds”, or nebulous pronouncements that an individual can accumulate as much wealth as he or she wants on a BEE ticket, as long as he or she does not flaunt it. Providing a clearer picture is essential for the whole country and the investment community. Though broad-based BEE codes go some way to create benchmarks, some companies that score high points are still seen as racist or untransformed, which illustrates the need for clarity on what needs to be achieved.
- Setting known values is needed for transformation to be effective. These values should guide people confronted with offers to front or misrepresent themselves. Without such values, no amount of prosecution will deter people hell-bent on making money from injudiciously undermining the transformation process.
Of course, the transformation process is not the sole responsibility of the newly elected national executive committee. However, once there are pronouncements about a change in emphasis or prioritisation of policy or strategy, new legitimate expectations will arise.
Within transformation and BEE, the resolve to succeed and deliver has to be strengthened.
Post-Polokwane provides another opportunity for black people and progressive groups to review and push even more energy, purpose and direction for transformation to be a reality.
On a slightly different note, the rugby people should be applauded for appointing Pieter de Villiers. In this era of our journey, such decisions and their implementation should be common place, but the fact that it is being seen as “brave” and creating negative emotive responses shows that there is still much work to be done.