ANC meets Khoisan, coloured leaders

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe. File photo: Thobile Mathonsi

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe. File photo: Thobile Mathonsi

Published Aug 20, 2015

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Johannesburg – Leaders from the Khoisan and the coloured communities on Thursday told the African National Congress they felt marginalised, especially regarding employment.

The leaders met with ANC leaders in Johannesburg to voice the concerns of their communities, which included sentiments on housing, education and employment.

“The Khoisan were the first inhabitants of South Africa, but we have not seen the recognition of the rights of our people, although they are guaranteed in the constitution,” said the National Khoisan Council’s John Van Rooyen.

“There is some level of discrimination, especially when applying for employment in government where one is told they are not black enough to qualify for an affirmative action post,”

He added the communities felt left out on business matters as they were not recognised at organisations such as the Nedlac (National Economic Development and Labour Council).

“There is the Black Management Forum and the Black Business Council, and we do not have a problem (with) that…but we feel we have been excluded, our consideration is that maybe we could form a Khoisan business council to advance our communities as well,” he said.

“It is the same as the idea of black industrialists – a good step in the right direction, but others feel marginalised,” he added.

ANC secretary Gwede Mantashe said his party was trying to build a united nation.

“We want to have an integrated nation. We can’t have a Khoisan council on business, on education and so on…we do not want to create bantustans built on race. This one of the many platforms to advance social cohesion across the country,” said Mantashe.

He further said the ANC had previously met with leaders from the Afrikaner communities, and it was made aware that the Khoisan and the coloured communities also had their own concerns over issues of integration and inclusivity.

“We had deep discussions and understood their standpoint. All the issues raised will be packaged and addressed practically moving on,” he said.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor, and the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Pravin Gordhan were also part of the meeting.

ANA

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