In his article “Someone please make me understand affirmative action better!” ( http://voices.news24.com/william-sono/2013/03/someone-please-make-me-understand-affirmative-action-better/ ) one William Somo makes some interesting observations regarding the thorny issue that is “affirmative action” but sadly the bite at the end was not there. I expected some straight solutions, or rather his opinion on the way forward, the many failings of AA are well known and documented, the failings of the CODESA negotiations are also well known so what can we really say that’s new?
Do we not agree that AA is unfair? Do we not agree that it has failed (in corporate SA) to bring on board enough Black people to co-lead, co-own and guide the economy? Do we not already agree that it has only benefited a few politically-connected people, Blacks in general, Black Africans in particular? Do we not agree that it has mostly been the breeding ground, the ground zero for every new scourge of corruption and inefficiency?
Yes, we agree, now what do we really want our future to look like? I think the majority of us just want to live in peace, in a safe country with equal opportunities for us all – there can be no running away from land and economic reform though, critics of AA confound me by never having an alternative solution, or set of solutions to address these vast inequalities, therefore it stands to reason that we simply have to bite the bullet on certain issues and push ahead regardless so here is my solution as I’ve said many times: the keyword is “CLARITY”, government and business need to go back to the drawing board and not come out until they’ve thrashed out clear and simple and brief plan to move us forward. If they agree on a plan, say, to have 70% Black Africans in All senior decision-making posts (with the rest being Coloureds, Indians and Whites), within 5 years time, No excuses must be accepted in getting there – after which we must then consign AA to the scrapheap for good.
The aim must Never be to replace the total domination of one group with another as we so often have seen in so many Government Departments, the fight for a DIVERSE country at all levels of society must always be our first priority – it is the only way for our children to have a chance at a better tomorrow.
In short, AA MUST have clear targets, and most importantly, a cut-off date, we cannot drag our past problems along with us until eternity, we are already far behind as a result of very poor leadership.
Pity that South Africans still vote along racial lines; Black = ANC, White = DA, that’s why mostly every commentator has been critical and skeptical of Agang - for me, Agang has come as a blessing as I’ve grown totally disillusioned with both the ANC and the DA alike. Since both these parties seem more interested in self-enrichment and petty squabbling, I’d suggest they just merge once and for all.
If the DA believes that Agang will eat away at the ANC’s support base, they are mistaken, Agang will most likely eat away at the DA’s support base as clear-minded DA supporters start to realize the futility of supporting such a backward, anti-change party.
Let me put it this way; even if Agang gets only 3 votes in the elections, I’d Still be very happy, why? Because I would have voted for a party that I believe in, I suggest that everyone stops doing the same things still expecting different results – that’s why I’m voting Agang.
Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
