Dear Editor
The DA notes that, despite claims to the contrary, there is not yet a set date for the implementation of the Employment Equity Amendment Act. This was confirmed in yesterday’s Employment and Labour Portfolio Committee meeting by the Department’s Director General, Mr Thobile Lamati, after being pressed. For that reason, the sectoral targets, or racial quotas, which were gazetted a few months ago for public comment are not yet in force.
The Department of Employment and Labour has been going around the country on a roadshow trying to convince minority communities that the amendments to the Act are harmless and that they will bring about the “transformation” of the economy.
That is a lie. The law will essentially provide the Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, the power to enforce race quotas on the labour force across national economic sectors and industries.
This amounts to dangerous social engineering. It will scare off investors, strangle growth, destroy any hope of creating jobs, while treating minorities like second class citizens.
At a time when the economy is failing, the implementation of the employment equity amendment act will spell disaster. That is why the DA has approached the court to have it overturned.
We envision a future where such race laws are consigned to the dustbin of history, and the private sector is freed from the dead hand of overregulation. That is the only way we are going to make a significant dent in the unemployment rate.
Regards
Dr Michael Cardo MP
DA Shadow Minister of Employment and Labour
Hedgeh0G2
Interview with a pirate:
There was a pirate who had agreed to do an interview with a local tv station. The reporter was very courteous and professional, giving a bit of background as to the pirate\’s business. She then began interviewing him.
\”So Mr. Longbeard, are there any risks to your business? I see you have a peg leg- how did that come about?\”
\”Well, y\’see I were sailing along the coast of South Africa, looking to plunder some locals when as I boarded the small boat from the ship, a great white shark came up and got my leg clean off. \’twas scary yes, but thus is the life of a pirate.\”
\”Wow, that is pretty scary- well, how about your hook? What happened to your hand with that?\”
\”Oh now that\’s quite the tale, y\’see I were fighting a rival pirate, and we had locked swords. We had been fighting for a few hours, and were both terribly fatigued. I had a bit of exhaustion and confusion, and when I went to block one of his sword blows, I met him with me hand instead of me sword. Took it right off, but it shocked him so much I managed to get him back pretty good and have him submit. So the hook hand was given as a replacement.\”
\”Wow. Simply fascinating. Now, what about your eye patch? How did that happen?\”
\”Well, one day, a seagull was flying overhead, and I looked up. It pooped right in me eye.\”
\”… Well wow. I must admit, I wouldn\’t think just seagull poop could damage the eye that badly.\”
\”Oh, I forgot to mention… it were me first day with the hook.\”
Neophyte Believer
Fun South African Fact: Vilakazi Street in Soweto has been home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners. A tour through Soweto will always stop at Vilakazi Street to reveal a number of heritage sites of great importance to democratic South Africa. Both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived here at some point in their lives. In 1984, Archbishop Desmond Tutu received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition for his non-violent fight against the apartheid regime. Nine years later in 1993, Nelson Mandela shared the Nobel Peace Prize with then-president F.W. de Klerk as an award for their role in bringing about the peaceful end of apartheid. Nelson Mandela then went on to become South Africa’s first democratically elected president in 1994.