Ramaphosa must withdraw racist quota law at Western Cape Imbizo

18 May 2023

The recently published draft Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEA) regulations ban the employment of coloured and Indian South Africans in certain economic sectors and provinces. The DA vehemently rejects this racist law, which has painful echoes of the apartheid-era Group Areas Act by seeking to confine groups of people to specific areas and jobs.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who signed this Act into law earlier this year, cannot escape accountability for his role in introducing these racial quotas into private workplaces. Ramaphosa is scheduled to speak at a presidential Imbizo in Paarl tomorrow. The DA in the Western Cape calls on Ramaphosa to use the opportunity to summarily withdraw the racial quota law.

If he fails to do so, the EEA will undoubtedly lead to more unemployment and more poverty. It will inflame racial tensions, lead to a flight of skills, and trigger further divestment in an economy where seven out of ten young people already cannot find work.

In contrast to Ramaphosa, who is a key architect of this racist law, the DA in the Western Cape welcomes our Federal Leader, John Steenhuisen’s challenge to this amendment. We call on all South Africans, business owners, and employees to submit their objection to this racial quota law to [email protected]; [email protected]; and [email protected]. Additionally, please cc in [email protected] into your objection so that we can ensure that your voice is heard.

Issued by Tertuis Simmers, DA Provincial Leader, Western Cape, 18 May 2023