A seminar brought together business leaders, media, and transformation experts to discuss the real impact of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) in South Africa.

Speaking at the event, hosted by the Afrika Tikkun Services BBBEE Partnerships on October 8 at Mercedes-Benz Sandton, BBBEE expert Chris Hieber challenged companies to move beyond compliance, and focus on transformation that delivers measurable human impact.

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“When BEE codes were first introduced in 2007, some companies still had all-white executives and managed to score level one. That’s not transformation. Real change is intentional. It’s a process that takes time and accountability.”

Hieber urged businesses to see BEE not as a legal requirement, but as a moral and strategic opportunity to drive inclusion. “People say it’s reverse racism or too difficult to implement, but that’s not true. Transformation is about building shared growth and changing lives.”

He highlighted success stories from Afrika Tikkun’s Youth Employment Service and learnership programmes, which have helped young people gain skills, employment, and dignity.

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He identified poverty, lack of skills, and limited business inclusion as major barriers to transformation.

“We can’t ignore unemployment. Companies should invest in training, mentorship, and enterprise development, not as charity, but as a long-term growth strategy.”

On enterprise development, Hieber urged companies to support small black-owned suppliers beyond one-off funding.

“Transformation isn’t about handing out R100 000 and walking away. It’s about building capacity, mentorship, and inclusion in your value chain.”

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