Johannesburg – The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) is accusing the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture of discriminating against blacks in its new job adverts.
In a lengthy statement on Saturday, (8 March 2025), GIWUSA said it “has received with absolute shock and outrage, the recent job advertisement issued by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture”.
GIWUSA said this advertisement, which explicitly prioritises “Coloured Males, Indian Males, White Males, Coloured Females, and Indian Females” for a senior managerial position in the ministerial office is “crudely racist, a flagrant act of systemic exclusion against African candidates and a blatant violation of the law”.
The union added: “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 service.
“The advert and requirements also violate the principles of equity enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution and perpetuates the very injustices the constitution mandates every state organ to actively dismantle.”
GIWUSA said it will not allow “this to pass”.
GIWUSA said, together with its members and the black working class, they were acutely aware of the sacrifices made to win “our freedoms”.
Taking aim at Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, GIWUSA called for his dismissal from Cabinet for “blatant racism”.
“He must either withdraw the advert or the President must make him withdraw it,” GIWUSA said.
GIWUSA laid down its demands as follows:
- The immediate retraction of the discriminatory job advertisement and a public apology to the African majority.
- A revised advertisement that aligns with Section 9(2) of the Constitution and the EEA.
- A transparent review of the department’s recruitment policies since McKenzie took over to ensure compliance with corrective labor 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.
“Failure to meet these demands within seven working days will compel GIWUSA to pursue all available legal avenues, including filing a complaint with the Commission for Employment Equity and the Human Rights Commission, and mobilising mass action to protest this egregious action,” the union said.
GIWUSA also called on all trade unions, civil society organisations, artists, cultural workers, and South Africans of conscience to unite in condemning this injustice.
Developing story…
Comments from the department will be included when they are obtained.
