In recent months a rising chorus has argued for an end to affirmative action.
A range of white commentators and white-dominated organisations has argued for a ”sunset clause” on affirmative action policies so that the good intentions of what is otherwise morally justifiable legislation will not eventually translate into apartheid in reverse.
Some commentators have the audacity to claim that affirmative action has introduced mediocrity into the South African corporate environment because it relegates merit to the periphery. Others opine that younger whites are not the beneficiaries of the racist apartheid era, and should not be punished for the sins of earlier generations.
I find all these arguments to be badly flawed and superficial, deliberately ignoring the realities of South Africa’s social and economic structure.
The obscene employment imbalances prevalent in the corporate world should convince any level-headed South African that it would be premature to end affirmative action. Organisational demographics at senior levels are nowhere near reflecting national demographics. It is common knowledge that management and boards are still predominantly white. In contrast, jobs such as refreshments assistants, security guards, cleaners and construction workers are notably devoid of whites.
The level of poverty in African communities in particular, where a large percentage of the population still lives on less than $1 a day, illustrates the extent to which affirmative action has not even scratched the surface in attempting to redress the imbalances of the past.
None of my white friends are unemployed unless it is by choice — having the luxury of being able to make that decision. But I have an army of black friends and acquaintances who would take any job.
This is genuine unemployment — and this is where the relevance of affirmative action cannot be questioned by anyone who still has a moral beacon.
There is a malicious myth that blacks are synonymous with mediocrity and incompetence. In my corporate experience, I have come across as many incompetent white managers as incompetent black managers. By the same token, I have seen enormously talented individuals of all races.
As everyone should know, black South Africans were deprived of opportunities and access to participate in the economic mainstream for decades.
Consider how the resulting entrenched imbalances will persist. A child born into a middle-income family is more likely to have access to a computer, internet, TV and other facilities at a much earlier stage in life, and will probably have better schooling. His or her academic success is likely to be better than that of a child who is born into a poor rural family in Nquthu, who has no access to TV, internet, basic books or decent schooling.
To imagine that redress can be achieved only 13 years after apartheid came to an end is ludicrous — or at the very least demonstrates a fantastic sense of imagination. ”Post-1994” whites continue to benefit from the vantage point that the apartheid system facilitated for their parents.
Empirical analysis of unemployment trends from September 2001 to September 2006 does not support the views advanced by the DA, Freedom Front Plus, Solidarity and those similarly inclined.
Statistics SA figures show that the unemployment rate fell from 29,4% in 2001 to 25,5% in 2006. A profound statistic is that unemployment among whites fell from 5,8% to 4,5% in the same period. This level of unemployment compares favourably with countries such as Germany, Japan and the United States. During the same period, unemployment among black Africans fell more rapidly, from 35,7% to 30,5%.
These statistics show two worlds living side by side. They also demonstrate that our society needs affirmative action. But we also need more scholarly investigation and debate on the subject.
Where social and national discourse is premised on bigotry and narrow nationalist interests, the outcome is bound to be counterÂÂproductive. Black South Africans have always been willing to engage objectively in such debates for the good of the broader nation. If a common standpoint were to be adopted, the potential of the South African citizenry would grow tremendously.
Should South Africa allow affirmative action policies to stay in place until the returns diminish? While the answer is an emphatic ”No”, affirmative action should not be terminated prematurely, before tangible benefits accrue to the intended beneficiaries. If not fully redressed now, this country’s social and economic imbalances may turn out to be a powder keg.
Mandla Nyathi is a human resources professional and a post-graduate student at Wits, writing in his personal capacity