I copied this article out of an South African Newspaper. Have a read through and let me know what you think.
Is it apartheid all over again?
Apartheid is supposed to be dead and buried but many believe that affirmative action, which was brought in to redress the imbalances created by apartheid, is merely a case of reverse racism.
by Lamese Abrahams
In 1994 when the apartheid regime fell after four pain-filled decades in power, former president Nelson Mandela stepped up to the platform to steer South Africa into a new democratic future. In any society it is virtually impossible to please every sector and when the Employment Equity Bill was passed, some were jubilant and others not. Twelve years have passed and many people, especially those who do not fall into the previously disadvantaged category, feel as though it is a case of reverse apartheid.
Johan Fourie came to London in search of his career elixir after spending the majority of his 20s in and out of work in South Africa. “The opportunities are here and not back home in South Africa. I can work as a labourer and make more money than I would ever had back home,” he stated. This outlook is popular as many white South Africans flock to the UK simply because they cannot find work at home.
“It seems as though white people are standing last in line to get jobs, and if you don’t have any formal education you are even worse off. Good things have taken place in all areas of our country but I don’t understand why people have to leave South Africa in order to find work,” Fourie added.For those who are looking to further their education as a means to achieve future financial stability, should be prepared to fork out between R15 000 and R20 000 per year at a university. “There seems to be no infrastructure to provide free or cheap education back home and because it’s so expensive, it is virtually impossible to better one’s life,” Fourie stated.
Fourie goes on to explain that his family is also suffering as a result of affirmative action, with his mother having to look after his sister’s children. “My sister and her husband have no money to buy a home, no money to raise their own children, which means they have no real future. When my brother-in-law applies for work he is either over or under qualified. The same thing happened to the blacks during apartheid and now it’s happening to white people. It’s definitely reverse apartheid and the only way it will change is if a fully mixed party is brought into power.”
Gemma*, who is regarded as a coloured (mixed race) in South Africa, has been in London for five years working as a social worker, and is in full support of affirmative action. “I’m a great believer in giving someone a job because of their competency and qualification. However, considering the history, especially of South Africa, where previously the opportunities were for a selected few, I am in full support of affirmative action to even out the balance.”
She goes to agree with Fourie that it is indeed a tricky topic but insists that it is not a case of reverse racism. “Affirmative action can be difficult, especially if it is not managed appropriately. Demographics show that most people employed are from minorities and those who had the advantage. If it was not for racism, affirmative action would not exist,” she said.
Despite this, Gemma* strongly believes that South Africa has a very bright future. “In 1985 most South Africans did not think apartheid would be over and that Nelson Mandela as well as political prisoners would be freed. We did not believe South Africa would have an election for all. So imagine where we would be in 2015?”
Martine Schaffer, Managing Director of the Homecoming Revolution, a website started to communicate the positive things that were happening in South Africa to South Africans abroad, and particularly to try and bring the skilled South Africans back said, “There is no debate around the fact that there is a skills shortage in South Africa as many of our educated South Africans have left the country.”
Schaffer states that she does not view affirmative action as a case of reverse apartheid, “I think that you have to look very carefully at who is not getting jobs and in what areas they are not getting jobs. We do not deny affirmative action exists but we understand the reason why it exists and certainly don’t see it as reverse racism.”
When asked about the scores of South Africans who come over and work in untrained professions such as labourers and security guards, she revealed that it will only count against them in the long run.
“You will see many South Africans settling for any job whilst overseas, which they would not do if they were in South Africa. They will work in the security industry in London, which they would never do in South Africa.”
“What we suggest to people who have been unable to find employment at home and have had to go overseas to do so, to use the time wisely. If they are not equipping themselves with skills some way, it is not going to be any easier for them on their return.”
The debate on whether affirmative action is a form of reverse apartheid will undoubtedly rage on. Meanwhile whilst here in the UK, we South Africans need to gain as much experience as we can, take advantage of the plethora of opportunities and then take it back home.
