COSATU condemns Jimmy Manyi's comments

The Congress of South African Trade Unions condemns the remarks made by chief government spokesperson Jimmy Manyi, made in a TV interview as President of the Black Management Forum. He said that "there is an over-supply in the Western Cape" and that "they should spread in the rest of the country".

Such remarks are racist and completely unacceptable. They fly in the face of the commitment of the country, the ANC and its allies to a non-racial society, in which the rights of all citizens are protected by our constitution and laws and must be treated with respect and dignity.

The remarks will further inflame fears within the coloured community, which have already been raised by Solidarity's false and provocative suggestion that amendments to the Employment Equity Act  will lead to a million jobs for ‘coloureds' being taken over by Africans. COSATU has already condemned Solidarity and its allies in the DA for this attempt to turn ‘coloured' voters against the ANC.

We welcome the statement by the ANC disassociating itself from Manyi's remarks and demand that government also condemn the remarks and reassure the ‘coloured' community that that not only is there no threat to discriminate against them but that the government is committed to protect and advance their interests.

Statement issued by COSATU, February 25 2011

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