Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has come out swinging against the Democratic Alliance (DA), condemning the party’s court action against the Employment Equity Amendment Act as an “anti-transformation” move that seeks to preserve historical privilege.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, 5 May 2025, Minister Meth accused the DA of trying to derail South Africa’s hard-won progress toward workplace equity, stating:
“This is a clear attempt to halt transformation in the workplace and preserve historical inequalities.”
At the heart of the legal battle is a contested provision within the amended Act that empowers the Minister to set numerical targets for the representation of designated groups — a key mechanism aimed at correcting apartheid-era imbalances in employment.
The DA argues the legislation is unconstitutional and gives excessive power to the minister, while Meth maintains it is a necessary instrument to ensure that South Africa’s workforce reflects its democratic diversity.
“What the DA is fighting against,” Meth stated, “is the right of underrepresented South Africans to participate fully in the economy. This court action is not just legal — it’s ideological.”
The clash has reignited national debate over how transformation should be implemented and monitored in the corporate and public sectors. Labour unions and civil society groups have voiced support for the minister, warning that dismantling equity laws could reverse decades of progress.
As the legal showdown unfolds, the case could have sweeping implications for the future of employment equity, corporate hiring practices, and the broader transformation agenda in South Africa.
