It is regrettable that The Mercury (March 5) embraces the ANC’s narrative that the actions of AfriForum and Solidariteit are harming the country’s image by disseminating misinformation about non-racialism.
What is misinformation is that race-based laws ended in 1994. AfriForum and Solidariteit’s mission to the US was not only to correct that perception but to quantify the extent to which racial demographics are applied in every which way—142 regulatory instances, as research has revealed.
For too long that reality has been ignored as world opinion continued to regard the ANC as worthy stewards of what is seen as post-apartheid South Africa. But that image has now come under scrutiny since the Trump Administration, rightly, is checking on the requirements to qualify for membership of AGOA (African Growth and Opportunities Act).
Even the World Bank has urged the ANC to scale back on regulations which hamper investment and economic growth because of the percentages demanded by BEE legislation.
So, it is very unfortunate and downright nonsense to assert that AfriForum and Solidariteit are ignoring the injustices of the past and the social challenges confronting the country.
What has to be faced is that race-based legislation and regulation has not engineered prosperity. Whilst a fraction of the previously disadvantaged has benefited handsomely through BEE, those benefits have not trickled down to the masses. The reality is that South Africa is much poorer. Eighteen million on social grants is indicative of that. Unemployment of between 35 and 40% is a terrible blot on the ANC’s record.
In that the welfare of the majority is highly dependent on the security of the minorities, it is logical that the strictures of race-based laws be removed or at least relaxed in order to incentivise investment, which will promote growth and employment.
That is what AfriForum and Solidariteit are seeking to bring to international attention. To claim that they are promoting interference in South Africa’s sovereignty is a bit rich when that is what the ANC promoted in the 1980s. Bringing pressure to bear on the government is a valid and democratic right.
Twenty years ago, Tony Leon called for sunset clauses to be applied to race-based legislation. Failure to do so is what is impoverishing South Africa.
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