What we can learn about economic equality from South Africa?

This is part 1 of the South Africa Corporate Governance Episodes.

In this episode, Lyndsey talks with Clint Bartlett, professional impact investment consultant and strategy advisor from South Africa. Clint has worked across Sub-Saharan Africa, the US, the UK and Europe on projects related to impact strategy and sustainable finance.

The conversation starts South African Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy introduced in 2005. Clint explained the historical background of BEE policy, its key points, changes in South Africa with BEE implementation, and social issues created by these changes, and challenges to South Africa corporate governance.

With today’s global discussion regarding equalization, inclusiveness, and “Black Life Matter” advocate in US, they also discussed what US can learn from South Africa regarding how to manage race problem and create an equal and inclusive social environment.

Conversation Highlights (with timestamps)

• Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Intro – “South Africa is death, tax and BEE”? (5:44)
• Necessity of BEE when Nelson Mandala took over a bankrupt country in 1990s - (7:50)
• Core purpose of BEE to create a fair economy (12:30)
• Five key elements of BEE to create a fair economy (14:50)
• Societal and economic impact in South Africa since BEE (16:36)
• Has BEE worked? (18:11)
• What made it hard to measure the effective of BEE? (18:48)
• Has BEE creased an equal society? (20:00)
• Quick change-hands of 10-15% market cap of Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) due to BEE implementation, and what’s the potential issues there? (24:40)
• What if there’s no BEE at all? (26:00)
• What can US learn from South Africa regarding how to handle social inequality issue? (28:00)

Guest Contact Information

Clint Bartlett

Email: Clint.bartlett@aya.yale.edu

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clintdbartlett/

Publication: https://nextbillion.net/risk-perception-funding-gap/