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Building an inclusive economy for all South Africans in Sandton

Langa believes the next generation has the unique ability to reshape the future of South Africa’s economy.

As South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy, the question remains, is Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) doing enough to create a truly inclusive economy?

Born in 1989, during South Africa’s transition from apartheid, Raymond Langa the Group CEO of Sandton-based Leagas Delaney South Africa had a unique perspective on the country’s evolving landscape.

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According to Langa, the B-BBEE policy was introduced to address the economic injustices of the past but its effectiveness is still a matter of debate.

“As a millennial leader, I believe B-BBEE must go beyond compliance to foster real transformation,” he said.

He added B-BBEE had achieved some wins – black ownership in listed companies is at 29%, and women hold 25.8% of top management positions, but challenges remain.

“I believe B-BBEE can remain a cornerstone of transformation but it must evolve to meet the needs of today’s economy. The focus must shift towards driving innovation, addressing youth unemployment, and investing in growth industries.”

Langa highlighted that youth unemployment is one of the most pressing issues in South Africa today, with a staggering 45.5% of young people out of work as of 2024.

He said he advocated for systemic changes that included investing in education, skills development, and entrepreneurship.

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“We need to equip young South Africans with market-relevant skills and give them the tools to create their businesses. Public-private partnerships can play a critical role in scaling job-creation programmes.”

Langa pointed out that for women, while progress had been made, barriers remained.

“Many still face unequal pay, limited mentorship opportunities, and work environments that do not accommodate their life realities. We must champion women by addressing gender pay gaps and creating pathways for them to enter leadership roles.”

He pointed out that at Leagas Delaney, initiatives such as mentorship programmes for emerging female talent and gender pay audits were steps in the right direction.

“Beyond gender and youth, inclusivity should be embedded in every aspect of business.”

Langa emphasised that diversity should not just be a statistic but a lived reality.

“Inclusivity means creating environments where people from all backgrounds can lead, innovate, and excel. We focus on broadening our talent pool, providing diversity training, and ensuring diverse perspectives are represented in decision-making processes.”

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