BEE
Collen Mashawana embodies the spirit of Black Excellence. As a businessman, philanthropist and founder of the Collen Mashawana Foundation, he has transformed countless lives by providing opportunities in education, skills development and community upliftment.
In recent years, South Africa has witnessed a complex interplay of social dynamics surrounding Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and the concept of Black Excellence (BE). While policies like BEE aim to redress historical inequities, the achievements of successful black individuals are too often criticised, undermined or distorted in ways that reinforce harmful stereotypes rather than celebrating genuine success.
Contextual Background
Historical Inequities: South Africa’s nearly 400-year history is marked by systemic racism and economic disparities that disproportionately disadvantaged black communities under Apartheid. The legacy of these policies continues to create barriers to social mobility and economic participation, entrenching inequality long after democracy.
Black Economic Empowerment (BEE): BEE was introduced as a framework to address these historical injustices by promoting the inclusion of black individuals in the economy. It aims to enhance ownership, management and skills development among previously disadvantaged groups. It is critical that the national conversation does not devolve into a critique that dismisses the entire purpose of empowerment initiatives.
Black Excellence: Black Excellence is the celebration of achievements by black individuals across business, community development and leadership, often serving as a counter-narrative to negative stereotypes. Yet, these successes are frequently targeted, misrepresented or reduced to claims of corruption, obscuring the structural challenges black individuals overcome to achieve their goals.
Collen Mashawana: A case study in black excellence
Collen Mashawana embodies the spirit of Black Excellence. As a businessman, philanthropist and founder of the Collen Mashawana Foundation, he has transformed countless lives by providing opportunities in education, skills development and community upliftment.
His foundation has initiated projects ranging from bursaries for underprivileged youth to mentorship programmes for emerging entrepreneurs. Beyond his business acumen, Mashawana has been a vocal advocate for ethical leadership, responsible investment and economic empowerment that uplifts communities rather than exploiting them.
Despite his extraordinary contributions, Mashawana’s work has often faced public scrutiny and unwarranted criticism. This reflects a broader societal pattern where successful black individuals are disproportionately targeted, their achievements questioned and their impact diminished. The undermining of figures like Mashawana is not only unfair it threatens the progress and morale of the wider black community striving for economic and social advancement.
Racist undercurrents and societal response
Criticism of BEE and Black Excellence is often framed in ways that reinforce racial bias. Media narratives sometimes suggest that successful black businesspeople exploit empowerment policies for personal gain, ignoring the tangible contributions these leaders make toward job creation, poverty alleviation and community development.
Society must recognise that attacks on Black Excellence are not isolated incidents. They reflect deeper tensions around race, privilege and economic power. To counter these forces, South Africans must actively celebrate and support successful black individuals while acknowledging the systemic barriers that remain.
The way forward
Standing against the targeting of Black Excellence is not merely about defending individual achievements. It is about recognising and dismantling structural inequalities that persist decades into democracy. By fostering a national dialogue that is both inclusive and fact-based, we can appreciate the complexities surrounding BEE and the significance of Black Excellence in South Africa.
Celebrating figures like Collen Mashawana and amplifying the work of leaders committed to ethical, transformative change sends a powerful message. Success, when grounded in integrity and service, should be supported, not disparaged. True empowerment requires collective recognition, solidarity and action to ensure that Black achievements continue to inspire, uplift and drive meaningful change.
