\n\t\tANC says transformative laws are necessary to bridge the gap between black people and white people.\n\t<\/p>\n
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says most wealthy people in South Africa are white, with the exception of mining magnate Patrice Motsepe.<\/p>\n
He said the country\u2019s transformative laws, such as broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE), remain necessary to address inequality between black and white people in South Africa.<\/p>\n
He was speaking in Polokwane on Wednesday at an event commemorating the life of ANC stalwart Peter Mokaba.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest beneficiaries of BEE [black economic empowerment] in a democratic state [are] white people, who [are] doing business post democracy on the continent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho are the billionaires in the economy, except Motsepe? They are all white. Our only billionaire is Motsepe; it\u2019s only him with a lot of money. Besides that, we have [Johann] Rupert and other white people who are benefiting from this country\u2019s economy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mbalula said the ANC notes the US\u2019s discomfort with South Africa\u2019s transformation laws, while stressing that they remain necessary to balance the scales.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do we get rid of black economic empowerment when transformation has not arrived? The struggle is not yet over.\u201d <\/p>\n
ALSO READ: WATCH: \u2018We are not worried about a US invasion of South Africa\u2019 \u2013 Ramaphosa <\/a><\/p>\n Inequality in SA<\/p>\n Mbalula says inequality between black and white people in South Africa can still be seen through the lived experiences of most people in the country.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you ever seen a white homeless person? The homeless are black. Have you ever seen an unemployed white person? Or have you ever seen a white person staying in a shack?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Mbalula maintained that there is no white genocide in South Africa and dismissed claims that minority groups in the country are being ill-treated.<\/p>\n BEE has become a big debate in the country, and the ANC, with some recognising its weaknesses and how it has benefited the politically connected elite.<\/p>\n Alternative to BEE?<\/p>\n