South African party launches legal challenge against new diversity and equity labor law
The challenge by the Democratic Alliance, or DA, takes aim at amendments to the Employment Equity Amendment Act that went into effect in January. Intended to force companies to diversify their staff, the new laws have divided the country's unity government, which includes the DA.
The measures have drawn fire from the U.S. government under President Donald Trump, who has cited 'racist laws' as part of his reasons to cut financial aid to South Africa and offer to support the relocation of some of its white minority Afrikaner community to the U.S.
The recent amendments give the labor minister the power to set numerical targets for the hiring of Black people, women and people with disabilities in sectors identified by the government as not reaching certain targets. Companies face fines for not reaching the targets.
Helen Zille, the federal chairperson of the Democratic Alliance, has described the new law as 'totalitarian' and says it discriminates against other groups of South Africans while potentially discouraging foreign investment.
'Jobs are created by companies that invest in South Africa. The draconian labor regime created by the Employment Equity Amendment Act will continue to drive away investment and predictably increase unemployment,' Zille said.
She said the new law is aimed at using racial quotas to address the injustices of the past under the apartheid system of white minority rule, and that it would contribute to the country's unemployment rate, which now stands at over 32%. She said such discrimination in the past has failed to lift up marginalized groups.
'It is completely senseless to knowingly intensify a discriminatory regime that has already failed so spectacularly to empower economically marginalized people,' Zille said.
Though South Africa's constitution allows some discrimination to make amends for the oppression Black people experienced during apartheid's enforced racial segregation, it must meet a fairness threshold that the DA argues is not met under the new measures, which it describes as 'draconian.'
Official government statistics show that racial and gender disparities in the country's economy remain widespread more than 30 years after the end of apartheid.
The African National Congress party, which is the biggest party in the unity government after losing its parliamentary majority in the 2024 national elections, criticized the Democratic Alliance for its court challenge.
'The Employment Equity Act is not about quotas. It is about justice," ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said. 'It is about correcting structural imbalances in the economy and ensuring that all South Africans have a fair shot at opportunity.'
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the leader of the ANC, defended the employment law in his weekly message to the nation on Monday, writing it was 'part of our effort to overcome the structural inequality of apartheid.'
The clash over the law is the latest public spat between the two biggest parties in the unity government who remain ideologically opposed on many issues.
The parties also are divided on education and land reform policies aimed at addressing inequalities created under apartheid.
Two weeks ago, the government withdrew plans to increase a value-added tax paid on consumer goods after the DA and most opposition parties opposed it and refused to vote for the budget which contained the tax increase.
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Sky News
13 minutes ago
- Sky News
'It is truly monstrous': Inside the besieged Sudanese city where families are forced to eat animal feed to live
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The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Somalia's camel milk revolution is improving nutrition and creating jobs
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Modernizing camel milk production Somalia is home to over 7 million camels — more than any other country on Earth — but only a fraction of that milk has ever reached urban grocery shelves, according to industry estimates. At the heart of the shift toward a modern approach to camel milk production is Dr. Abdirisak Mire Hashi, a veterinarian and the farm's manager. For Hashi, it's not only about profit — it's about preserving heritage while embracing progress. 'Somalis take pride in their heritage of raising camels. However, the way camels are raised has changed significantly over time," Hashi told The Associated Press as he inspected a milking herd. Each camel at Beder now produces up to 10 liters (2.6 gallons) of milk daily — double what traditional herders typically yield. The increase is attributed to new investments in veterinary care, better feed, and modern milking practices. The camels are routinely checked by vets, given nutritional supplements, and grazed on scientifically blended fodder, a far cry from the roaming nomadic herds of decades gone by. 'We were among the first to establish this kind of farm back in 2006, when very few people even knew about commercial camel milk production,' said Jama Omar, CEO of Beder Camel Farm. 'Other farms have entered the market since then, but we currently hold around 40% of the market share.' 'We employ nearly 200 full-time staff,' he added. 'In addition, we bring in seasonal workers during key periods such as planting and harvest.' Pioneering camel milk yogurt The farm's biggest leap may be its yogurt factory — the first in Somalia dedicated to processing camel milk into yogurt. Inside the factory, workers in white coats oversee stainless steel vats as fresh milk is cultured and packed. The final product is sold under the Beder brand which now retails in urban supermarkets across Mogadishu. 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Back at the paddock, a line of camels stretches into the golden afternoon light, their steady, patient footsteps a reminder that progress in Somalia often moves at the pace of tradition — slow but unstoppable. From ancient caravans that crossed deserts to supermarket shelves stocked with yogurt, the Somali camel's journey continues, one cup at a time. ___ For more on Africa and development: The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Times
3 hours ago
- Times
Times letters: ‘Working class' internships for civil service
Sir, Your editorial rightly ridicules the plan for civil service internships to be restricted to 'working-class students' to make Whitehall more representative ('Normal People', Aug 2). We seem to be going full circle through ideological, inverted snobbery. More than 40 years ago, when applying to join the army, I was asked by every prospective regiment what my father did for a living (it was assumed my mother did not work). Later, when I applied to leading firms of surveyors, I faced the same question, but at least usually about both parents. It was wrong then and is even more so now, as society has moved on. In my professional career I have recruited graduates, interns, placement students and apprentices for more than 30 years. I have always selected the best people for the job, regardless of perceived 'class' or any other characteristic such as ethnicity, gender, religion or sexual orientation. That should be the case in every walk of life. Diversity has been proven to produce more successful teams, and should emerge naturally from a genuinely open recruitment process. Our government can do better than taking us back to the 1980s. Richard Petty East Molesey, Surrey
