The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) is raising Amazon Web Services‘ (AWS) requirement that businesses must be 100% black-owned to join its South African equity programme with United States authorities.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has confirmed that full black ownership is a minimum requirement for its Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP). This means a South African business can lose access to the programme if even one shareholder does not meet the prescribed racial classification.

The issue was raised in a media release issued by FF Plus member of the provincial legislature and chief spokesperson for trade, industry and competition, Jaco Mulder, on 3 September.

US ambassador to be approached

The FF Plus plans to formally approach the United States ambassador to South Africa, L. Brent Bozell III, and ask that the matter be referred to the relevant American authorities.

The party says the question is not necessarily whether AWS is breaking American law, but whether a multinational company and federal contractor applying an absolute racial requirement outside the US is in line with the American government’s current policy on race-based discrimination in contracting and programme participation.

Trump executive order cited

President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14398 of 26 March 2026 states that federal contractors may not take part in racially discriminatory Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) activities.

This includes treating people differently based on race in contracting and programme participation. The FF Plus says this policy framework provides a relevant context for investigating the matter.

Call for clarity on requirement’s origin

The FF Plus is also asking AWS and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to explain where the 100% requirement comes from. The party wants to know whether it is a direct requirement of South African USBEB regulations, a government condition, or a decision made by AWS itself.

The FF Plus says this distinction matters because true transformation and empowerment should not permanently classify people by race and give or deny opportunities on that basis.

Free market and equal treatment

The FF Plus says it believes in a free market, equal treatment, entrepreneurship, merit and opportunities for all.

The party says South Africa needs more investment, entrepreneurs and job creation rather than new racial boundaries that limit economic participation.

“A person’s race should never be the access ticket to an economic opportunity,” the FF Plus said.

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