249. Adv A de W Alberts (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Labour:â
Regarding the implementation of affirmative action, what
criteria are applicable in determining whether a person (a) can
or (b) cannot be classified as an African?
NW267E
Minister of Labourâs replied:
a) It is important to first highlight that affirmative action is
a measure designed to ensure that suitably qualified people
from the designated groups (i.e. black people, women and
people with disabilities ) have equal employment
opportunities and are equitably represented in all
occupational categories and levels in the workforce of a
designated employer. Secondly, it is worth noting that these
designated groups are people that were previously
disadvantaged as a result of apartheid and discriminatory
laws and practices that were in place then. Furthermore, the
term âblack peopleâ is clearly defined in the Employment
Equity Act as a generic term which means Africans, Coloureds
and Indians.
b) Given the above explanation, it is therefore, clear that only
Africans that were previously disadvantaged as a result of
apartheid and discriminatory laws and practices that were in
place then, qualify to be classified as Africans for the
purpose of implementing Affirmative action.
END