Affrimative Action

ASSIGNMENT 01   (707714)

SECTION A



  1. South Africa implemented affirmative action as a so called balancing of scales and setting things right. This was done in complete disregard to efficiency and or productivity.   In its bare form, affirmative action is in place to protect the majority of ill equipped, poorly trained work force against the minority of outcome based, successful, skilful and motivated portion of society.   The idea of giving previously restricted people access to opportunities is a very good idea as to give everyone a fair change, to be able to know that if you are equipped to do the job there will be no discrimination factors applicable.   Morally the idea of giving previously restricted people access to opportunities is totally defensible; the thought of giving all the same opportunities seems fair.   Unfortunately the opposite seems to be happening also, that is that now some of the more specialized work is set out to the previous disadvantaged people and then there is a problem with the delivery of quality service or any service at all, for these circumstances the need to relook at the whole affirmative action and make sure that it is not in reverse gear that they are operating now just to make sure that the previously disadvantage people are given a change now.   People get opportunities that are either out of their capacity or their field of expertise.   This has the effect of poor service delivery and also non-compliance.   Examples can be found in almost every sector of business in South Africa.   It will take many generations to get South Africa in a position where we can be a contender in the global market.

  2. Affirmative action in the United States began as a tool to address discrimination against African Americans in the 1960’s.   President JF Kennedy’s exclusive order 10925 mandated: “affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment without regard to race, creed, color...