Critical Reflections on Black South African Economic Empowerment Through the Lens of Steve Biko’s Philosophy of Black Consciousness

This chapter critically examines Black South African economic empowerment through the philosophical framework of Steve Biko’s Black Consciousness. While post-apartheid economic policies, such as Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), aimed to redress historical injustices, their effectiveness remains contested. Drawing on Biko’s emphasis on psychological liberation, self-reliance, and community-driven development, this study interrogates whether contemporary economic initiatives align with his vision of true empowerment. The paper argues that state-driven top-down approaches have often reinforced elite enrichment rather than fostering broad-based economic autonomy. In contrast, a bottom-up, community-oriented strategy, rooted in cooperatives, social entrepreneurship, and localized control of resources, better aligns with Biko’s ideals. Through a critical analysis of policy outcomes, case studies, and grassroots economic movements, this study explores how Black Consciousness can inform a more transformative economic model that prioritizes self-determination and sustainable development for Black South Africans.