B-BBEE now millennials' task

UNIQUE POSITION: NOT CONSTRAINED BY PAST, BUT AWARE OF ITS LESSONS

- RAYMOND LANGA

This year, South Africa marked 30 years of democracy. For those of us born in the late 1980s, like myself, this anniversary resonates deeply. I was born in 1989, a year of transition and hope, but also of immense uncertainty.

My generation, the millennials, stand at a unique crossroads. We are both the beneficiaries of the sacrifices of those who came before us and the architects of the future.

As a millennial leader and business owner, I often reflect on the role of broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) in shaping our economy. It was introduced to address the injustices of the past, yet its effectiveness remains a topic of heated debate.

Is B-BBEE doing enough to ensure a truly inclusive economy? If not, how can we collectively do better?

The South Africa I was born into was a nation of stark contrasts. A small minority held the majority of wealth and power, while the majority were excluded from economic participation. B-BBEE was born from the necessity to redress this imbalance. B-BBEE was never just about equity in numbers; it was about equity in opportunity, developing a society where every South African could thrive.