Nkosinathi Chonco

The tendency to deal with empowerment as a system of scorecard compliance impedes transformation because there is no values-based leadership in such an exercise. Scores do not achieve wholesome change or a new way of doing business — sustainability cannot be achieved that way.

It has been interesting to read what many commentators are saying about how the ANC palace coup is going to influence the essence, policy, strategy and implementation of broad-based BEE under the watch of the new regime.

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, writes Nkosinathi Chonco.

When is a company empowered? For me, this goes beyond a mere stamp of verification. It is when there is a sustained sense that there are no unfair obstacles preventing you from realising your potential. As this is a sustained state, there is no need to celebrate occasional events of affirmation, writes Nkosinathi Chonco

Like BEE, transformation is a complex, emotive and potentially divisive process, but its benefits far outstrip the risks. Empowerment evokes various and contrasting emotions among those involved in the process — "process" is the watchword, rather than event. I fear this process is being undermined by those beneficiaries who view it as an event.