South Africans call for an end to race-based laws, says IRR
The Institute of Race Relations (IRR) has reported growing public support for its call to repeal South Africa's remaining race-based laws, following the momentum of its #WhatSACanBe campaign.
Launched four months ago, the campaign promotes evidence-based policies aimed at driving economic growth and social progress. One of its key proposals is the No More Race Laws Bill.
This draft legislation is designed to repeal race-based laws and end mandatory racial classification in South African law.
ALSO READ: Institute of Race Relations slams unclear expropriation law
The campaign emerges in response to the Employment Equity Amendment Act, introduced by Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth.
The Act enforces race-based targets for businesses and requires individuals and companies to report on racial and gender classifications to demonstrate compliance.
Makone Maja, strategic engagements manager at the IRR, criticised the legislation.
'This makes Minister Meth the perfect recipient of the No More Race Laws petition,' said Maja.
'The petition is anchored in the tenets of the No More Race Laws Bill and has so far received 12 373 signatures from ordinary South Africans who have had enough of race laws that rob the people they claim to benefit, while enabling the political elite to amass enormous wealth.'
Maja argued that such laws support what the IRR describes as a system of 'fake transformation' that fails to uplift the nearly half of the population still living in poverty.
ALSO READ: Law enforcement agencies embark on mission to combat Gauteng crime
According to the IRR, the Ministry of Employment and Labour has failed to deliver on job creation and continues to back legislation that undermines economic growth.
The organisation noted that South Africa continues to face some of the highest unemployment rates since the dawn of democracy, particularly among the youth.
'Blame for the last 10 years of little to no growth can be laid squarely at the door of laws that favour patronage over merit and value-for-money procurement,' Maja added.
'We can no longer afford to insist that race is relevant at the expense of true development and economic growth.'
The IRR intends to deliver both the draft bill and the petition signatures to Minister Meth, urging her to take the first step toward inclusive, merit-based job creation by removing race-based policies.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
ActionSA demands apology after Macpherson allegedly calls black people 'hobos'
ActionSA has expressed concern about DA KwaZulu-Natal chair Dean Macpherson after he allegedly referred to a group of black people as 'hobos' during recent court proceedings in Pietermaritzburg. The DA and ActionSA took the city to the Durban High Court over a sewage problem on Thursday and things turned sour between the two parties. According to IOL, Macpherson allegedly told a reporter that ActionSA provincial chairperson Zwakele Mncwango had denied calling the police to disperse 'hobos', which he claimed ActionSA had recruited to come to the court to pose as its members while picketing. In a letter written to Macpherson, Mncwango said using the word 'hobos' to refer to black people is 'deeply offensive and dehumanising'. 'Whether or not this term was used with racial intent, the impact of your words cannot be separated from the painful racial history of South Africa,' Mncwango said. 'Referring to a group of predominantly Black South Africans using a term historically associated with poverty, disposability and social worthlessness is not only deeply offensive, it is dehumanising. 'In a country still grappling with the scars of apartheid, where the dignity of black people was systematically stripped for decades, language like this is more than an insult — it's a racial affront.' He said it sends a message that black people can be reduced to derogatory labels when politically opposed. 'Even if you did not mean harm, the effect of your words and actions have caused real pain and reinforced racial hierarchies that many of us are fighting to dismantle. 'Dismissing ActionSA members — who are citizens, voters, and human beings — as hobos based on their appearance or political alignment is undignified, unacceptable and racist.' The party condemned Macpherson's conduct during the court proceedings, where he allegedly instructed black DA leaders to vacate their front-row seats for white and Indian members. Mncwango called on Macpherson to issue a public apology. Failure to do so would confirm that he accepted the label of being called a racist, Mncwango said. 'It is clear that you are obsessed with ActionSA and its leadership. While I do not mind your political fixation on the party, I will never accept racism against black people in any form, whether subtle or overt.'
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
ANC Reaffirms South Africa's Non Alignment Policy: Strict Control on Arms Exports to Conflict Zones
At a panel discussion during the Liberation Movements Summit, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula reiterated that no South African arms manufacturer – state-owned or private – will be permitted to export weapons or ammunition to the war zone in Ukraine. 'As the ANC, we have taken a decision – consistent with South Africa's constitutional values and foreign policy traditions – that South African arms manufacturers will not be allowed to export weapons or ammunition to the war zone in Ukraine. This position is not anti-European. It is pro-peace,' stated Mbalula. He further emphasized the commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, adding: 'Peace cannot be outsourced to artillery.'
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
'Mother of all' Uber strikes set to cripple South Africa
The National E-Hailing Federation of South Africa (NEFSA) has issued a warning that a nationwide strike by e-hailing drivers is imminent, as frustration over poor working conditions, shrinking earnings, and alleged government inaction reaches a boiling point. Speaking on behalf of NEFSA, President Elijah Uhuru Lekgowane confirmed that national coordination is underway to stage what he described as 'the mother of all protest actions' against the e-hailing industry's major players – including Uber and Bolt. 'Drivers can't continue under the current circumstances,' Lekgowane said. 'We've seen a 35% slashing of fares since 2016, and now drivers are being deactivated without due process. This is unsustainable.' The strike action, expected to roll out across multiple provinces, follows threats of a shutdown in Johannesburg, where local e-hailing drivers have already signaled plans to take their vehicles off the roads this month. At the heart of their grievances are low fare rates, high commission percentages, and vehicle deactivation policies that drivers say are crippling their livelihoods. Lekgowane said many drivers are forced to work excessively long hours, often sleeping in their cars, just to make ends meet. NEFSA has issued a list of urgent demands, including: Immediate restructuring of the pricing index Halt to unjust deactivations and threats against protestors Review of vehicle age restrictions, which force drivers to retire cars still under finance Greater transparency and accountability from e-hailing platforms Government intervention and regulation 'Right now, we are running a charity and can't afford it anymore,' Lekgowane added. 'If we can't make earnings, these companies shouldn't make profits either. It's as simple as that.' NEFSA has also directed sharp criticism at the South African government, accusing it of turning a blind eye – or worse, colluding – with global e-hailing companies at the expense of local workers. 'Our government seems to be conniving and conspiring with these companies,' Lekgowane said. 'They allow these platforms to operate unchecked while our members suffer.' The federation says this upcoming strike differs from previous protests in that it will be nationally coordinated, with provincial leaders convening soon to finalise action plans. 'Previously, provinces acted alone. This time, we're united,' said Lekgowane. 'We won't say the strike is tomorrow, but what I can guarantee is: it's coming.' With the potential for mass service disruptions, commuters in major cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria are being urged to make alternative transport arrangements. E-hailing services like Uber and Bolt have become a cornerstone of urban mobility in South Africa, providing a flexible option for millions of users – especially as the cost of owning a car rises. Yet, as demand grows, drivers say they are bearing the cost of platform growth without sharing in the profits. A national coordinating committee is scheduled to meet soon to confirm the strike date, logistics, and scale of participation. If NEFSA's warnings hold true, South Africa could be facing one of its largest e-hailing protests to date. 'This is not just about drivers,' said Lekgowane. 'It's about fairness, dignity, and survival.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
