B-BBEE stance 'won't hit DA'

POLICY: BLACK VOTER SUPPORT 'MAY HOLD STEADY DESPITE PLAN TO SCRAP RACE-BASED LAWS'

- Itumeleng Mafisa

Despite suggestions that the DA will lose black voters because of its stance on broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE), analysts believe this may not be the case.

On Monday, the DA revealed its plan to reform South Africa's economy. Part of the plan is scrapping B-BBEE, the Employment Equity Act and the Land Expropriation Act.

The DA's stance on these laws led to speculation on whether it will continue to receive support from black voters.

Political analyst Prof Ntsikelelo Breakfast said the party will not suffer huge blows as a result.

"There is nothing new in their argument. Electoral performance will not be affected," he said.

"But I am also not implying that they will have an upward trajectory, nor will they have a downward electoral trajectory."

He said the party was unlikely to lose more black members.

The party has been transparent on its position on race-based laws for decades, said Breakfast, adding the party has rooted itself in not seeing colour as part of its tradition.