AfriForum pushes for deadline for government’s racially discriminatory policies

The civil rights organisation AfriForum has today submitted comments to the Department of Employment and Labour regarding draft regulations on proposed sectoral numerical race targets. The department published the new draft regulations in February after strong opposition to Minister Thulas Nxesi’s specific race targets for each industry and province. The public has until 2 May to submit comments on the new proposed sectoral numerical race targets.

In its comments on the new draft regulations, AfriForum proposed that a fixed deadline be established for the termination of racially discriminatory legislation, which is in accordance with the “temporary nature” of affirmative action policies, as determined by the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998.

“Without a fixed end date for racially discriminatory legislation, the vicious cycle of government failure and the push for more racially discriminatory policies continues. After more than 100 years of racially discriminatory policies, which continue into the 21st century, it is time for the abolition of this abhorrent practice,” says Ernst van Zyl, Head of Public Relations at AfriForum.

AfriForum further argues in its comments that racially discriminatory legislation should be scrapped by the government in general and in all facets of society, including employment, sports and education.

“The government’s preoccupation with equal outcomes rather than equal opportunity has created an increasingly racialized environment. South Africa cannot call itself a non-racial country if its government continues to push for intensified racially discriminatory legislation,” says Van Zyl