‘Empowerment must be for all, not just new elite’

A LEADING player in Namibian business circles has called for caution in the implementation of black economic empowerment.

President of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), Leake Hangala, said yesterday that care had to be taken while Government orchestrated the introduction of the national black empowerment policy so that it ensured that all, instead of a only small elite, benefited. Speaking at the opening of the Karas Investors’ Conference, he said the cake had to be “shared by all Namibians in a fairer manner”.”It is my hope that the empowerment of previously disadvantaged Namibians will be a matter of consideration for those who will take advantage of investment opportunities in this region and elsewhere in Namibia,” Hangala said.He was supported by Prime Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab, who called for partnerships that would benefit rural communities instead of only a small group of individuals.”Do not create more wealth on one hand and aggravate poverty on the other hand.We must be holistic in our plans and implement policies and programmes that everybody benefits from,” the Prime Minister said.He said business was best known for taking risks and accommodating change for a better future for all.Two weeks ago Cabinet endorsed a decision that Gurirab begin wide-ranging consultations on black economic empowerment (BEE).The policy will embrace existing laws related to black economic empowerment as well as initiate new objectives and an implementation strategy.A technical committee comprised of representatives of the office of the Prime Minister, the Ministries of Trade and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Mines and Energy, Finance and Information and Broadcasting is to be established and will make up the core working group on the formulation of a BEE policy.No deadline has been set for the completion of the document.The task force has been mandated to develop a legal framework for socio-economic empowerment.The envisaged policy is intended to set the vision and basic principles for implementing, monitoring and evaluating the fulfilment of black empowerment objectives.The Karas conference is being attended by around 260 business people and politicians.Speaking at the opening of the Karas Investors’ Conference, he said the cake had to be “shared by all Namibians in a fairer manner”.”It is my hope that the empowerment of previously disadvantaged Namibians will be a matter of consideration for those who will take advantage of investment opportunities in this region and elsewhere in Namibia,” Hangala said.He was supported by Prime Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab, who called for partnerships that would benefit rural communities instead of only a small group of individuals.”Do not create more wealth on one hand and aggravate poverty on the other hand.We must be holistic in our plans and implement policies and programmes that everybody benefits from,” the Prime Minister said.He said business was best known for taking risks and accommodating change for a better future for all.Two weeks ago Cabinet endorsed a decision that Gurirab begin wide-ranging consultations on black economic empowerment (BEE).The policy will embrace existing laws related to black economic empowerment as well as initiate new objectives and an implementation strategy.A technical committee comprised of representatives of the office of the Prime Minister, the Ministries of Trade and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Mines and Energy, Finance and Information and Broadcasting is to be established and will make up the core working group on the formulation of a BEE policy.No deadline has been set for the completion of the document.The task force has been mandated to develop a legal framework for socio-economic empowerment.The envisaged policy is intended to set the vision and basic principles for implementing, monitoring and evaluating the fulfilment of black empowerment objectives.The Karas conference is being attended by around 260 business people and politicians.