Trick or Treat: Rethinking Black Economic Empowerment is a book that throws into sharp relief what has always been the most tantalising and controversial aspect of BEE policy – notably, black corporate ownership, the asset trading or deal-making arm of BEE that was started as an antidote to apartheid and insurance for future business. Jenny Cargill offers a unique experiential and analytical journey into the 16-year history of BEE. It is current and critical, challenging the reader to think differently about empowerment and how black South Africans may meaningfully participate in the economy. The book comes at just the right time. The fault lines in BEE have become increasingly exposed as the global financial crisis has impacted on the South African economy. Government, too, has recently appointed the BEE Advisory Council to monitor and review progress. Internationally, there is a rethink about societal wellbeing and sustainable investment that also has implications for current BEE policy. All this suggests that it is time to expand the horizons of new thinking about economic transformation in South Africa.
Source: www.jacana.co.za
