The Democratic Alliance (DA) is rethinking its approach to black empowerment as it eyes growth among black voters for the 2029 national elections. In an interview, DA policy head Mat Cuthbert defended the party's new non-racial policies against criticisms of apartheid denialism. The proposals aim to address inequality through opportunity rather than race-based measures.
With the 2029 national elections approaching, the DA is under scrutiny for its new policy mix, designed to attract black support. Ferial Haffajee interviewed Mat Cuthbert, the party's head of policy, probing the DA's stance on black economic empowerment (BEE) and non-racialism.
Cuthbert affirmed the DA's commitment to redressing apartheid's legacy, describing it as 'a deliberate system of oppression designed to strip black, coloured and Indian South Africans of land, dignity and opportunity.' However, he criticized BEE as an exclusionary system that favors the politically connected, linking it to cadre deployment and state capture. He cited the Transnet locomotives contract, inflated from R39-billion to R54-billion in 2014, which channeled over R6 billion in kickbacks to Gupta-linked companies under the guise of transformation.
The DA argues that race-based policies have failed, with black unemployment at 35.8%—up 8.6 points over the past decade—and nearly 30 million black South Africans living in poverty out of a total black population of 51.5 million. Instead, the party promotes non-racialism, defined as rejecting race in public policy to focus on 'opportunity, capability and character, not colour.' This involves tackling root causes like poverty, poor education, and lack of assets.
Key proposals include a universal healthcare subsidy, food grant, ending spatial apartheid, and employee share-ownership as an alternative to nominal equity transfers. Cuthbert highlighted the UN Sustainable Development Goals, prioritizing Decent Work and Economic Growth, No Poverty, and Zero Hunger.
The DA's Economic Inclusion for All Bill seeks to amend the Public Procurement Amendment Act of 2024, repealing race-based preferences and using poverty as a proxy for disadvantage. It introduces a scorecard: 80% for value for money and 20% for economic inclusion contributions to SDGs, such as job creation and skills enhancement, while disqualifying corrupt bidders. Cuthbert emphasized alignment with section 217 of the Constitution for fair, equitable procurement.
The party positions itself as South Africa's most diverse, capable of winning votes across racial groups, and claims public polling shows fatigue with BEE's patronage.