Nowhere in the Constitution is there any reference to racial quotas. Section 1(b) of Chapter 1 states unambiguously that “non-racialism is a founding value.” Section 9(3) outlaws discrimination on the basis of race, gender disability, religion. The Preamble exhorts the building of a “united” country. Yet the contradictions of those precepts are glaringly obvious in the existence of 142 legal and regulatory references to race on how we are governed. They and BEE make a mockery of the Constitution’s commitment to non-racialism.
Of course, the standard response in justifying race-based legislation is that it is necessary for “transformation” and to “level the playing fields”. But where is the logic in applying racial measures to counter a racial dispensation that existed in the first place? Further distorting the Constitution's commitment to non-racialism is woke theory called equity. This is a social engineering tool which seeks to populate posts based on representivity. It shuns merit while standardising mediocrity.
Equity favours allocating posts to those who otherwise would not qualify. It discounts the barriers of competence that would otherwise prevent a person from qualifying for a position. It disregards the Peter Principle in elevating people to positions beyond their competence. Thus, it discriminates against those who actually deserve elevation in terms of merit. Racial quotas, cadre deployment and now equity are responsible for the costly shambles that prevails in what passes for government.
Sadly, the fruits of racial quotas have manifested themselves on the cricket field. Cricket South Africa (CSA) imposes a strict quota based on colour - not merit. A minimum of six players in a team must be non-white an...
Of course, the standard response in justifying race-based legislation is that it is necessary for “transformation” and to “level the playing fields”. But where is the logic in applying racial measures to counter a racial dispensation that existed in the first place? Further distorting the Constitution's commitment to non-racialism is woke theory called equity. This is a social engineering tool which seeks to populate posts based on representivity. It shuns merit while standardising mediocrity.
Equity favours allocating posts to those who otherwise would not qualify. It discounts the barriers of competence that would otherwise prevent a person from qualifying for a position. It disregards the Peter Principle in elevating people to positions beyond their competence. Thus, it discriminates against those who actually deserve elevation in terms of merit. Racial quotas, cadre deployment and now equity are responsible for the costly shambles that prevails in what passes for government.
Sadly, the fruits of racial quotas have manifested themselves on the cricket field. Cricket South Africa (CSA) imposes a strict quota based on colour - not merit. A minimum of six players in a team must be non-white an...
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The Mercury (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 24, 2025