The BBC has done a great series about the Black Economic Empowerment initiative in South Africa. Over 15 years after the release of Nelson Mandela, black South Africans are seeing the benefits of black majority rule. Most of the articles feature stories regarding the development of the new black middle class. With all of the negative news that gets presented from the continent, it is refreshing for a news organization to focus on the positive steps South Africa is taking to reverse the lagging effects of apartheid. Steps have been implemented to provide financing for homes and businesses. Rules have been enforced to increase the use of black employees and manufacturers in the supply chain. There is also a lot of effort being invested in the training of black people in skilled trades that were once monopolized by their white counter parts.
The only surprising thing about this program is that many people outside the country have never heard of it. The program states that they encourage corporate and social investment into black communities, but there doesnt seem to be any effort to raise foreign investment. I am sure there are many organizations from across the world that would be more than happy to invest in this new emerging market of middle class black Africans.
South Africa stands as a more stable model of economic transition than the drastic steps and tragic results caused by the land grab in Zimbabwe. Although there are many South Africans who argue that this transition has been too slow and not enough. I am sure when compared with their couterparts to the north, they will be content with what they have.
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