South African President Thabo Mbeki says huge gains have been made in trying to make the public service representative of the South African population — but the private sector is lagging behind.
Replying to a question from New National Party (NNP) leader Boy Geldenhuys, who asked the president whether a so-called sunset clause with regard to affirmative action would strengthen the process of reconciliation, the President said huge gains had been made.
As at March 31, 72,5% of the public service was black, 3,6% Asian, 8,9% coloured and 14,7% white. With regard to gender, 52,5% was female and 47,5% male. However, at senior management level the breakdown read: 56% black, 8,2% Asian, 10,1% coloured and 25,6% white. The gender breakdown for senior management was 22,1% female and 77,9% male.
Referring to state-owned enterprises, Mbeki said the composition of the boards with regard to race was as follows: 63% black, 2,5% Asian, 9,9% coloured and 24,7% white. As to gender, 76,5% was male and 23,5% female.
The breakdown at senior management levels was as follows: 56,5% white and 43,5% black with a gender breakdown of 75% male and 25% female.
“In terms of management positions in the private sector we have the following breakdown by race: 11,46% black, 5,21% Asian, 4,83% coloured and 78,52% white. With regard to gender, 15% is female and 85% is male.”
For the Johannesburg Securities Exchange’s (JSE) top 100 companies, 156 or 13% of a total of 1 196 directors were previously disadvantaged individuals (PDI). The percentage of PDI women directors was 1,3%, a total of 15. Of the total of 100 companies, 71 have PDI representation on their boards. The 2001 PDI representation for the JSE’s top 100 companies in the top management level was 25%, there are 20% at senior management level and 50% at professional staff level.
“I am certain that the honourable Geldenhuys will agree with me that we cannot fully achieve the national reconciliation we all seek if we do not address the racist legacy of inequality which continues to characterise our society. How long it will be necessary to continue with the affirmative action programmes will depend on how fast we succeed to eliminate this inequality.”
“At the same time, we must make the point that increasing opportunities in our economy and society should make it possible that the implementation of affirmative action programs does not create the situation of ‘either/or’, but rather ‘both and’ — both affirmative action and availability of opportunities for all our people.”
Mbeki said there was no sunset clause in the South African Constitution with reference to affirmative action. – I-Net Bridge