BEE hypocrisy: SRF poll shows 70% believe SA race-based laws enacted to enrich politically connected

South Africa’s Social Research Foundation (SRF) reveals a striking disconnect between government policy and public opinion. Despite the ANC doubling down on BEE and affirmative action, SRF’s latest survey shows the majority of South Africans - across all racial groups - believe these policies benefit the politically connected, not the poor. Gabriel Makin explains how the public favours merit, individualism, and minimal state interference in business. The data points to growing disillusionment with racial nationalism and demand for equal treatment under the law..Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here.The auditorium doors will open for BNIC#2 on 10 September 2025 in Hermanus. For more information and tickets, click here..Watch here.Listen here.BizNews Reporter .A new survey conducted by the Social Research Foundation (SRF) has revealed a striking national consensus across racial and political lines: the vast majority of South Africans do not believe Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and affirmative action policies are helping those they are supposed to uplift. Instead, these policies are seen as tools that benefit political elites and the well-connected.In a wide-ranging interview with Alec Hogg of BizNews, Gabriel Makin, Director of Research at the SRF, detailed the findings of their latest public opinion survey. According to Makin, only 13% of South Africans believe that affirmative action primarily benefits the poor or middle class. A massive 83% believe it favours the politically connected, elites, or business owners- an indictment of what many now see as a deeply flawed policy framework.“What this shows is that South Africans understand that these policies are entrenching the power of a few, rather than delivering broad-based empowerment,” said Makin. He emphasised that this perception cuts across racial and political lines, debunking the narrative that BEE reflects the collective will of black South Africans.The survey also explored South Africans' views on government involvement in business decisions, particularly around employment. When asked whether the government should be allowed to determine the race of staff businesses can employ, only 30% supported such intervention. Even among black respondents - often portrayed as the primary beneficiaries of BEE - only 37% supported the idea, while 63% rejected it.Makin noted, “When people are asked in broad terms whether they want the government to lead economic development, 65% say yes. But once the implications of that are made specific - such as the government dictating hiring decisions - people overwhelmingly reject state control.”Perhaps most significantly, the survey found that nearly 70% of South Africans believe the country can only succeed if all racial groups are treated equally under the law. The idea that race-based policies are required for progress is losing ground, even among those presumed to benefit from them.This growing preference for merit-based advancement was echoed in attitudes towards sport. A question posed in the survey asked whether race should be a factor when selecting a national sports team. An overwhelming 80% of black respondents said no - merit should be the only criterion. “That’s a powerful cultural signal,” said Makin. “Sport cuts across all demographics in South Africa. When people say merit matters more than race in something so central to national pride, politicians should listen.”Alec Hogg commented that the findings sharply contrast with the official narrative promoted by the African National Congress (ANC) and other race-conscious political movements. “We’re told what to think,” he remarked, “but the data shows we think differently.”Makin argued that for too long, political discourse in South Africa has relied on presumption and ideology rather than data. “Our goal at the SRF is to replace the political ‘sorcery’ with evidence-based insights. The truth is, South Africans of all races are not as divided as we’re told. They want fairness, not favours.”The research further underlines the shifting mood of the electorate ahead of South Africa’s evolving political landscape. As Makin pointed out, race-based policies are increasingly seen as outdated and unproductive, even by their supposed beneficiaries. South Africans want policies that empower individuals based on ability and character, not skin colour or political loyalty.With the SRF survey placing a spotlight on this deep public disillusionment, pressure is mounting on policymakers to pivot away from race-based economics towards inclusive, merit-driven reforms.

BEE hypocrisy: SRF poll shows 70% believe SA race-based laws enacted to enrich politically connected

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