Dear Editor.
South African Tourism (SAT) presented their 2021/22 annual report this week, containing the usual human resource demographic bean-counting. However, the presentation went beyond the usual Verwoerd-style racial classification, and also listed employee race targets by employee levels.
The information tabled would’ve made the old apartheid government proud and shows that the ANC, just like the old regime, believes in racial social engineering. Page 25 of the presentation clearly illustrates this racial social engineering championed by the ANC.
Page 25 of the Presentation by South African Tourism
According to the presentation:
For black people:
A target of zero has been set for unskilled persons.
For coloured people:
A target of zero has been set for top level management, semi-skilled and unskilled persons,
A target of zero has been set for professional qualified males, while females have a target of 5
For Indian people:
A target of zero has been set for top level management for Indian males,
A target of zero has been set for semi-skilled and unskilled Indian men and women
For white people:
A target of zero has been set for top level management for white males but a there is a target of 1 for white females,
A target of zero has been set for semi-skilled and unskilled white men and women.
The DA delegation in the Portfolio Committee challenged this racist, insulting and illogical table. In response, SAT Acting Chief Executive Officer, Themba Khumalo apologised to the Committee and admitted that “this cannot be defended” and undertook to “amend” it. The DA will keep a careful watch on this.
As a first step, I will write to the Acting CEO of SAT to request a written explanation of how they are planning to “amend” this. Making vague commitments during a meeting is not good enough. I will question why SAT has these strange quotas and why there are these requirements in the first place.
It appears that SAT is attempting to pre-emptively introduce the Employment Equity Amendment (which the DA opposes) and is awaiting the President’s sign off. The EEA Bill will strengthen destructive social engineering by allowing the Minister to set targets for different occupational levels, sub-sectors or regions.
Racist social engineering will contribute little as history has shown us. This government should concern itself with getting the best people, irrespective of race, at all levels so that tourism can grow and develop, thus contributing to economic growth and job creation.
Regards
Manny de Freitas MP
DA Shadow Minister of Tourism
