The ANC in Mpumalanga has confirmed its resolution to only provide government aid to tourism enterprises that meet Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements.
This applies to the Covid-19 relief fund, amounting to R10 million, of the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism as well.
The FF Plus posed the following questions regarding the financing model to the MEC, Vusi Mkhatshwa, in the provincial Legislature:
• Is the funding earmarked for certain racial groups only and why is race being used as a measure to deny companies in white ownership any form of aid? It is important to recognise that the Covid-19 virus does not affect an economy or its victims on the grounds of skin colour.
• How many tourism enterprises in Mpumalanga meet the set criteria and does quantified research justify providing aid, amounting to R10 million, to these enterprises?
• How many BBE companies will benefit from the aid and how much will each tourism enterprise receive?
• Is the Department aware of how many South Africans, of all races, are employed by tourism enterprises that do not meet the BEE requirements?
• Which financing model will be used for the allocation of funds?
These questions have mainly remained unanswered. The only response was that the names of the relevant tourism enterprises will be recorded and that the funds will then be distributed.
Mkhatshwa was also unwilling, or unable, to expand on how the plans to provide financial aid will be rolled out.
In order to ensure sound management, there must be a specific plan, according to which the financing will be done, in place before any expenses are incurred.
It is abundantly clear that the provincial government of Mpumalanga is not concerned about the suffering of the tourism industry. The black and white employees of enterprises in white ownership are being sacrificed in the process of furthering the ANC's agenda of radical economic transformation. The Covid-19 pandemic is merely being used as an excuse to speed up the process.
The FF Plus will continue to fight against senseless legislation, like Affirmative Action and Black Economic Empowerment.
