The African National Congress (ANC) has come out strongly against the Democratic Alliance (DA) for taking legal action against the new Employment Equity Amendment Act, saying the move is against South Africa’s goal of economic transformation. The ANC said the DA’s action was an attempt to stop the progress of correcting past injustices and making sure that all citizens, especially Black South Africans, get equal chances in the job market.
The Employment Equity Amendment Act, which started operating in January 2025, gives the Minister of Labour the power to set specific employment targets in different sectors. These targets are aimed at increasing the number of Black people, women, and persons with disabilities in workplaces across South Africa. Any company that fails to meet the targets could be fined or even lose their eligibility to receive government contracts.
But the DA, led by Federal Chairperson Helen Zille, disagrees with the law and has taken the matter to court. Helen Zille said the law is “totalitarian” and discriminatory. According to her, the act does not support economic growth and could chase away investors. She also said it may worsen the country’s already high unemployment rate, which is currently above 32%. She believes that the best way to correct inequality is through job creation, not by enforcing strict hiring rules that might harm other racial groups.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri defended the law, saying it is an important step in correcting the economic damage caused by apartheid. She said the law is not just about race, but about giving fair opportunities to people who have been left out for years. President Cyril Ramaphosa also backed the law, calling it a necessary tool to address structural inequality. He said the legislation is in line with the country’s efforts to undo the economic injustice that apartheid caused.
This disagreement is happening at a time when the ANC and DA are sharing power in a coalition government that was formed after the 2024 elections. The ANC, which ruled alone for many years, lost its majority in parliament and had to form a unity government with other parties, including the DA. But since then, there have been several disagreements between the parties, not just on employment equity, but also on education changes and land reform issues.
The legal challenge by the DA is currently being heard in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. Many observers are watching the case closely because the decision could affect how South Africa deals with the legacy of apartheid and the economic inequality that still affects millions of its citizens.
International reactions to the law have also added to the tension. The United States government under President Donald Trump has criticized the law, calling it a “racist policy.” The US even reduced financial support to South Africa and announced plans to assist members of the white Afrikaner community who want to leave the country.
As the court case continues, many South Africans are waiting to see how it will end and whether it will bring more unity or division in the country. The case is seen as a test of how far South Africa is ready to go in balancing fairness, economic growth, and social justice.
