Since 1994, South Africans have been throwing their weight, to varying degrees, behind The South African Project. As a country, we have been trying to move towards a more equal society, one that will provide “A Better Life for All”.
But what does a better life for all look like? And how can we, as a country, get there?
Angie Lanham-Love, CEO of Lanham-Love Consulting – a 51% Black Owned Level 2 BEE Entity that assists companies in developing an effective consulting strategy for maximum BEE benefit – has a few thoughts on the matter. “For myself and my colleagues at Lanham-Love Consulting, a better life for all requires some key elements,” she says. “For one, it must include equal access to opportunity. For another, we think that it will require a commitment from every South African to the upliftment of their fellow South Africans – across the board.”
Noble ideals indeed. However, not unobtainable ones, according to Lanham-Love. “Firstly, we as a country have to acknowledge the fact that we are not all setting off from the same starting line. The facts of our past mean that there are those in this country who were previously excluded from the economy. So, how do we begin to level the playing field, how do we ensure equal access to opportunity?”
“Lanham-Love Consulting believes that this can first and foremost be achieved by ensuring that all South Africans have access to a great education, and the opportunity to equip themselves with the skills necessary to help them get to where they want to go,” says Lanham-Love. “This does not only mean focusing on grassroots education. Rather, we think that this can be achieved at every level, by focusing on skills development within companies in every industry in such a way that both the employee and the employer benefit from this development.”
Lanham-Love Consulting is committed to being a part of The South African Project – a commitment shown in their determination to innovatively embrace and integrate transformation to the point of business growth and development. “B-BBEE does not just empower individuals. When implemented correctly, it can lead to the empowerment of your staff, your company, your community and, ultimately, the country as a whole,” says Lanham-Love.
“There needs to be a recognition that Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment is not a ‘grudge purchase’, or even a cost of doing business,” says Lanham-Love. “B-BBEE is an investment in your people, your business – and the future of South Africa. Once South Africans start to recognise this fact, there’s no telling how far we as a nation will be able to go.”
Lanham-Love Consulting’s dynamic, flexible team of consultants are ready and waiting to engage with you and explore your specific transformation needs. If you want guidance on how to make Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment work for you and your company, contact us today.