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Solidarity today wrote a strongly worded letter of objection against Eskom’s crude application of race requirements in a job creation programme for the youth. 

In its letter to Eskom, Solidarity says it has learned that approximately 190 jobs have been reserved for only black employees under the banner of the government’s so-called YES programme.

Solidarity maintains that these practices are illegal when measured against various local laws as well as international conventions on racial discrimination.

According to Annika Labuschagné, a litigator in Solidarity’s Legal Department, it is also irrational when one considers that Eskom’s employer – the government – actually drew a line through this type of action when it reached an agreement with Solidarity regarding a more nuanced affirmative action dispensation.

This agreement was reached in June 2023.  

“These quota systems are not only outrageous; they are also illegal now. On the one hand, our country is moving in the direction of inclusion where we are building a better future, while on the other hand, we are stuck with government organisations such as Eskom who is actually looking at the future through racially tinted glasses with these types of programmes. 

That these racial barriers are applied to our country’s youth obviously makes it even worse, and if Eskom does not dispense with this, Solidarity will have no other option but to step in,” Labuschagné said. 

In its letter of objection, Solidarity demands that the positions be made available to all applicants, and it says it will proceed with court action if Eskom fails to heed this demand. 

“We believe the recent election also made it clear that the average South African is no longer satisfied with this kind of practice which excludes people solely on the basis of their race. Eskom clearly does not realise this yet, and that is why organisations such as ours need to remind them of that,” Labuschagné said.

Issued by Solidarity