Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) is challenging the Employment Equity Amendment Act in the Pretoria High Court, arguing it will worsen unemployment instead of boosting participation by disadvantaged groups.
The party is specifically opposing section 15(A), which mandates companies with over 50 employees to meet racial, gender, and disability representation targets.
The government plans to enforce penalties on businesses that do not comply.
But DA federal council chair Helen Zille said the law would hurt economic growth and increase joblessness, adding that while the DA supports redress measures, they must be fair, rational, and aimed at job creation.
[WATCH] DA Federal Council chair Helen Zille says the Employment Equity Act does not help redress the past, but is worsening things in South Africa. She says race laws and electricity uncertainty are among the top reasons investors shy away from SA.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/3TJciElIqs
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 5, 2025
She also argued that employment should be based on skill and merit rather than race, gender, or disability.
“The DA’s commitment is to see the millions of young people who have a futire that can only be described as hopeless to give them hope by ensuring we grow this economy and get people into jobs and imrpove education and make sure people have the skills they need to compete for the job
Helen Zille, the DA’s federal chairperson, says that jobs should be awarded based on merit and skill, not race. pic.twitter.com/B45Hx4nq1f
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) May 5, 2025
“That we don’t have a country that continues to define everybody according to their race and the other biological attributes that they have no control over and make sure that everyone understands that their ability, the opportunity and their work ethic is what is going to get them to the top – not the race and not the polical connections,” said Zille.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
