PRESS RELEASE.
NO EMBARGO
14 December 2023
Employment Equity Act – Al Jama-ah says the Minister of Employment and Labour hides behind flaws in the legislation on requirements to state one’s race:
Al Jama-ah Party says Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi lacks an act of bravery as he fails to admit that the Employment Equity Act’s requirements to state one’s race, is perpetuating racism.
The party’s leader and Member of Parliament Hon Ganief Hendricks asked Minister Nxesi as to when will the requirement of stating one’s race be removed from legislation. The Minister replied: “The primary purpose of the EEA is to promote equity through the elimination of unfair treatment and unfair discrimination in employment policies and practices; and the implementation of affirmative action measures to redress the imbalance of the past suffered by the previously disadvantaged groups…” (see Minister’s full reply below).
Hendricks describes the Minister’s reply to his question as that of an apartheid apologist. His question further raised that the requirement to state ‘race’ should be used where necessary and that it must be limited to black and white only instead of stating ‘coloured’ and ‘Indian’. He says the current EEA legislation gives more advantages to those classified as African.
“The Minister’s response is that of a denial and I ask whether this is not racism? He must have the political will to use the terms black and white when necessary. South Africans must work towards recognising only one race, the human race. It is sad that the Minister hides behind flaws in our legislation. He allows legislation that continues to give those classified as African more advantages than those who are ‘coloured’ and ‘Indian’. A just and fair Minister will not be guided and influenced by apartheid-era policies which caused much harm to the South African society,” says Hendricks.
For further media inquiries contact the National Spokesperson:
Adv. Shameemah Salie on Cell: 084 423 0476
For interviews contact:
Ms Sinazo Mtshengu on 078 512 3186
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