South Africa
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In South Africa, the colonialist apartheid system relied on categorization by race, excluding people of color from political participation, economic resources, and geographic areas. This system continued through the early 1990s; the resulting South African society was highly stratified along race, class, and gender lines, with inequality embedded in social structures. The new South African government, which came to power in 1994, dismantled the apartheid system and set out to redress historical imbalances and create an equitable society.
The 1996 South African Constitution provided for the use of affirmative action, and in 1998 the legislature passed detailed legislation needed to set up the programs. This legislation, called the Employment Equity Act, aimed to eliminate discrimination and inequity through the implementation of affirmative action programs. It made measures including preferential treatment and numerical goals legal, while excluding quotas. This legislation, together with sector-specific policy texts (White Papers) guide affirmative action in South Africa. These programs have made progress in integrating South African society, but have not yet eliminated the systemic problems created by apartheid.
More Information on Affirmative Action in South Africa
Jacob Zuma Elected President of South Africa– Voice of America – May 6, 2009
Zuma Firm on Affirmative Action and BEE – Independent Online – March 27, 2009
Affirmative Action Policy Not Changing – The Times – February 10, 2009
Will Affirmative Action Stay? – Cape Argus – January 9, 2009
Mixed Reaction to Cope Proposal on Race Policy – Business Report – December 19, 2008
Affirmative Action to Stay: Zuma – IOL News – October 31, 2008
Affirmative Action Stays—Cape Argus—September 16, 2008
South Africa News – African American Policy Forum
Basic Guide to Affirmative Action—South African Department of Labor—2004
Naidoo, V. & Kongolo, M. (2004). Has Affirmative Action Reached South African Women?Journal of International Women’s Studies, 6, 124-136.
Thaver, B. (2000). Affirmative Action in South Africa: The Limits of History. In E. Kennedy-Dubourdieu (Ed.), Race and Inequality: World Perspectives on Affirmative Action. Burlington, Vermont: Ashgate Publishing.
