In this article published in The Star and Cape Argus, Researcher in the Political Economy Faculty, Khwezi Mabasa reflects on South Africa’s BEE policy and how it is interpreted by different political parties ahead of the elections. He argues that there are few studies on the systemic and structural socio-economic trends associated with BEE and that society has neglected smaller institutions experiences in BEE because of pre-occupation with the prominent empowerment groups, and their integration into JSE-listed companies. “Trade unions, community trusts, social enterprises and SMMEs have played a significant role in BEE. But there are few references to these organisations’ accounts in the poll manifesto discourse.” writes Mabasa.