DIPPY DAMES

THE mainly white labour union, Solidarity, has roped in two high-profile black businessmen in its war against the country’s employment equity policies.

Prominent businessman, Herman Mashaba, who owns hair-care company Black Like Me, and the Free Market Foundation’s Temba Nolutshungu once again denounced the government’s policies yesterday on affirmative action and employment equity. The laws are meant to help provide redress for racist apartheid legacies.

At a Solidarity conference in Centurion, the two declared their support for the union’s plan to submit a report to the UN that will outline how it believes South Africa has contravened the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

South Africa is party to the contravention.

Mashaba said the report was an “important initiative to save our country”.

He said employment equity only sought to enhance the racist perceptions of blacks and whites, and had the potential to create a catastrophe.

“The notion of empowering previously disadvantaged blacks is a noble ideal, but racist. Businesses are compelled to consider the race and social background of potential applicants instead of an applicant’s skills set and qualifications. Race is thus a determining factor in securing employment in South Africa.”

Mashaba’s comments are despite a stipulation in the Employment Equity Act, which speaks to the equitable representation of suitably “qualified” people. While almost everyone sounded as though they read from the same hymn sheet at the conference, Nolutshungu’s criticism seemed to surpass them all.

He described affirmative action as the biggest political fraud post-apartheid.

“Affirmative action is politically unnecessary, economically irrational and morally unjust. It is veiled racism,” he said.

Leading businessman and Black Economic Empowerment Advisory Council member, Sandile Zungu’s views were in stark contrast.

“Without government’s progressive policies, I would not be where I am today. I am not one to hurl abuse at AA or look at BBBEE with disdain,” he said.

Solidarity hopes to drum up more support before making its submission to the UN in two months’ time.

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