LETTER: DA playing a dangerous game with BEE
Using race as proxy for disadvantage is crude
The DA has not rejected race-based policy, and your correspondent James Cunningham (DA sees light on BEE, 12 February) is wrong that Deng’s dictum applies to the party. The DA has in fact stated that race is a proxy for disadvantage, that race must therefore be the basis of policy, although it is careful to add that it will apply the policy more effectively than the ANC. More accurately, the DA dictum is something along these lines of “it matters that the cat is black and we hope it will still catch mice”, a message that for lack of conviction recalls the “separate development with justice” mantra of the United Party. Cunningham correctly observes that wherever race-based policy has been applied, it has led to economic and political misery. You do not need a proxy, let alone the proxy of race, to determine disadvantage because disadvantage itself can easily be determined, measured, and assessed. Even if you were to insist on a proxy, then unemployment, or the level of education atta...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.