WHERE WE STARTED
The foundation of the BMF can be traced back to 1976 when a group of black individuals came together as a support group to address the challenges of corporate structures in South Africa.
This later developed into a focus on socio-economic transformation as an imperative aspect of the BMF, which could be achieved through the empowerment of previously disadvantaged demographic groups. The aim has always been to overcome a lack of growth for these demographics through the pursuit of socio-economic justice, fairness and equity.
These principles are why the BMF was instrumental in the conceptualisation of the affirmative action blueprint, Employment Equity Act and Black Economic Empowerment legislation.
WHO WE ARE
The Black Management Forum (BMF) is a non-racial, non-partisan and non-sexist organisation, focusing on the development of managerial leadership and the creation of managerial structures that are reflective of the demographics and values of the broader South African society.
The BMF strives to provide its members with access to the necessary tools to develop managerial and leadership skills through workshops, conferences and programmes. We are positioned as a thought-leader through contributing to the public and producing solutions for the problems faced in South Africa. Our goal is to advocate for transformation in the social and socio-economic sphere and this includes lobbying for legislation that seeks to change the economic outlook in corporate South Africa and the broader society.
HOW DO WE ACHIEVE THIS?
- Actively contributing to policy formulation and ongoing review to test policy effectiveness
- Monitoring and evaluation of the pace of transformation (e.g. Transformation Masterplan)
- Lobbying to accelerate the pace of targeted transformation towards an inclusive economy
- Unlocking access to opportunities, funding and markets for black business in growth/new/
previously protected industries (e.g. industrialisation, fin-tech, agri, renewable energy) - Thought leadership on the advancement of black professionals (women and youth) and
comment on succession planning, employment equity, enterprise/ supplier development
and skills development practices of companies - Partnering for research and advocacy
- Informed and principled commentary on relevant current issues
- Capacity building to enable deliberate socio-economic transformation
- (Soon to be accredited) Acclaimed BMF Young Professional Development Programme
- Skills development in preparation for the 4th Industrial Revolution
- Exchange programmes with local/international universities and other institutions of learning
- Development of curricula for sustainable and systemic transformation
- Tailored leadership development in partnership with Business Schools (e.g. Governance and
Ethics; Inclusion and Diversity) - Placements of black professionals enabled by our Leadership Search service
Vision
The BMF vision is to be the foremost organisation in the development of managerial leadership and the advancing of socio-economic transformation in South Africa and beyond.
Mission
The BMF stands for the development and empowerment of managerial leadership, primarily among black individuals through the creation of managerial structures and processes that reflect the demographics and values of the wider society in South Africa. To do this we always keep our values at the forefront of our mission:
- Ubuntu
- Integrity
- Creativity
- Respect
