BMF Warns South Africa Faces Deepening Inequality Without Urgent Economic Reform

The Black Management Forum (BMF) has raised fresh concerns about South Africa’s widening inequality as business, government, labour, and civil society leaders gather in Gqeberha for the organisation’s 2025 Policy Conference.

With unemployment remaining persistently high and poverty deeply rooted in provinces such as the Eastern Cape, the forum is calling for decisive steps to shift the country from economic exclusion to meaningful participation.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Economists Applaud Treasury’s New Inflation Target Shift To 2–4% Range

BMF President Mpho Motsei believes entrepreneurship—especially among marginalised groups—must be a national priority. “The economy of any other country is dependent on entrepreneurship.

“It’s dependent on small businesses because those are the ones that can be able to employ as many people as possible. So, it’s for us to train our people to think about owning their own businesses because it will give them the opportunity to employ as many people as possible.”

Entrepreneurship Push Seen as Key to Tackling Unemployment

Motsei emphasised that small and medium-sized enterprises are central to creating jobs and stimulating grassroots economic growth.

The forum argues that empowering emerging entrepreneurs could play a major role in easing pressure on the Government of National Unity, which is currently wrestling with stalled job creation and inequality.

The Eastern Cape, one of the provinces most affected by poverty and limited economic opportunities, is expected to feature prominently in policy discussions throughout the conference.

Call for Stronger Economic Transformation Measures

Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Steve Letsike, echoed the BMF’s sentiments, urging the private sector to step up transformation efforts.

“The South African private sector still has to do a lot of work; procurement equity and inclusive financing cannot be optional.

“There must be part of the architecture that really looks at a transformed economy that brings Black women, youth and persons with disabilities into the center of production.”

The 2025 Policy Conference is expected to produce recommendations aimed at advancing inclusive development and widening economic participation across the country.

---

For More, Follow SurgeZirc SA On  Facebook, X,  Instagram and Bluesky