Time to explode the myth of the black professional
You must have heard the claim that black professionals earn more than their white counterparts. The assumption is that a black graduate engineer with five years of experience will demand a package in excess of that paid to a similar white graduate engineer and, in today's seller's market, will often find his demands met. more

Blacks must pass 'washing machine' test
The way affirmative action is conceptualised and implemented by some major SA companies is often simply an extension of an old and familiar feature of our political and economic landscape - the bantustan policy. more

Blacks need real jobs, right now
The fairytale scenario goes like this: a major SA company embarked three years ago on a programme of affirmative action and employed a sprinkling of blacks, some as trainees, some in professional roles. By now, the black employees have been accepted by their white colleagues, the corporate culture is more tolerant and sensitive to the diversity of this country and the black employees are grateful to the company for the opportunity and advancement. more

An imaginary case study
Fentrans S.A., a subsidiary of a major South African listed Industrial group, has been under pressure for some time to take affirmative action steps. The group's C.E.O. Alan Stewart sounded a clear message to Harold Adcock, the M.D. of Fentrans: "Get some blacks into your management, Harold, we are under increasing pressure to show that our subsidiaries are performing in this regard - we need the goodwill of government, and pretty soon government is going to be changing somewhat ... we've been talking about affirmative action for two years now, Harold, and it's becoming urgent. Can you take some tangible steps at Fentrans and report to the main board when we meet again at the end of June?" more

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