Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) and affirmative action policies need to be reviewed.
According to AfriForum spokesperson, Ernst Roets, the problem between white people and black people in South Africa is not white people’s attitude, but the government’s desertion of black people.
Roets says policies such as affirmative action are aimed at empowering black people economically, yet the vast majority of unemployed people in the country are black people.
Speaking at a racism dialogue facilitated by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in partnership with the UFS Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice, Roets says things such as white supremacy do not exist.
He says racism is a social issue which results from individual prejudices. Roets says under the current political leadership in South Africa both racial groups have become victims of racism.
“Racism is a symptom of South Africa’s biggest problems. We cannot address racism without addressing underlying issues. We need to address problems of economic inequality. We need to restructure our education system” Explained Roets.
He says South Africans’ biggest problem is employability of young people and these policies are not helping either.
Roets says democracy should be based on human rights and the protection of the minority.
He says the problem of racism will not be resolved unless problems such as quality education for all and unemployment are resolved.
Katleho Morapela/ Courant News
katleho@centralmediagroup.co.za
