Writes James N. Kariuki

Do the wheels of history always turn towards greater justice? Apparently so considering that whenever Black and White people have interacted, some form of racism has emerged. Equally persistently, the societies in question have often evolved some programmes to remedy the inequities derived from the self-inflicted racism.

But a built-in problem within the remedy asserts itself instantly. Its beneficiaries perceive themselves as the rightful recipients of corrective measures to eradicate injustices of the past.

Non-recipients, however, are convinced that the new order is hypocritically engaged in a new kind of discrimination.

This is a hot political issue in contemporary South Africa. Indeed, supporters of the country’s version of affirmative action, Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), are increasingly concerned that it may disband under the weight of incessant condemnation.

Interestingly, the outcry is facilitated by new South Africa’s democratic openness. An alliance of the wealthy class, the predominantly white opposition party and its academic ideologues, have been drumming up the allegation that BEE is corruption-prone and a tool for African National Congress’s (ANC) self-enrichment.

Behind it all is ‘white fear’ that a successful BEE could generate a ‘take-away culture’ that may nurture general grabbing as in Zimbabwe.

What can be learned from affirmative action elsewhere? — Click here for more

Related Article: The plight of Zimbabwe: A crisis in the leadership of Robert Mugabe