Affirmative action doesn't work

The FW de Klerk Foundation on Thursday said while it supports affirmative action (AA), it has done very little since the advent of democracy.



The foundation's Dave Steward made the comments while speaking at a briefing in Cape Town hosted by trade union Solidarity.

The union has taken the Correctional Services Department to the Labour Court over its employment equity plan, arguing that it has a negative effect on coloured people.

At least 10 officials are suing the department as they believe they were overlooked for promotion due to their race.

Steward said the workers first approached the foundation to raise their concerns. He said racial discrimination was absolutely unacceptable.

Steward added that the lawsuit was of historic importance.

He said employment equity as a whole had not worked and that only 10-15 percent of previously disadvantaged South Africans benefitted.

Steward added the country was more unequal, even 20 years after apartheid.


SOURCE >: IAFRICA