Workers union, GIWUSA, has called on the dismissal of Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie over alleged racial discrimination in his department’s recent job advertisements.
Image: Supplied
The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) is calling for the removal of Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, after allegations surfaced that his department’s recent job posts favoured certain racial groups and excluded black candidates.
The posts advertised were for Deputy Director for Administration Support and Coordination and Parliamentary and Cabinet Support Officer.
The advertisements had a note that read: “Preference will be given to Coloured Males, Indian Males, White Males, Coloured Females and Indian Females.”
GIWUSA president Mametlwe Sebei called this move “crudely racist” and a flagrant act of systemic exclusion against African candidates and a blatant violation of the law.
“Such discrimination is not only divisive and oppressive, it serves the interests of political elites attempting to distract the working class from their failure to deliver jobs or basic services,” Sebei said.
He argued that the advert also violated the constitutional principles of equality and perpetuated the injustices that the Constitution mandates every state organ to dismantle.
“To be blunt, we will not allow this to pass,” Sebei said.
“Our union, its members and the black working class are acutely aware of the sacrifices made to win our freedoms.”
GIWUSA wants Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie removed from his position over the alleged racial discrimination in the recent job posts advertised in his department.
Image: BackpagePix
Sebei called on McKenzie to withdraw the advert immediately or for President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene and make McKenzie retract it.
In addition, Sebei called for a transparent review of the department’s recruitment policies under McKenzie’s leadership to ensure compliance with labour equity principles.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa must fire Gayton McKenzie as a Minister and Parliament should also discipline him for this racism, anti-migrant hateful conduct and other criminal conduct,” Sebei added.
In response to the accusations, McKenzie took to social media to address the concerns.
Taking to Facebook, McKenzie argued that his department’s hiring pressure was aimed at addressing the historical imbalances in employment opportunities for certain racial groups.
“I am for all races. When I find that other races have been ignored and rarely given a job opportunity, it is my duty to fix it, I'm fixing things,” he said.
“I want all races to be represented in the Department that I lead, go boil somewhere else.”
Continuing his explanation over the accusations, McKenzie defended his department’s approach, framing it as consistent with the Employment Equality Act (EEA), which seeks to ensure fair representation of all races in the workplace.
“Employment Equity, are you saying that you have never heard of it? We (are) making sure all races are represented, nothing really here to be alarmed about. Salute,” McKenzie added.
Cape Argus