Abstract
M.Com. (Business Management)
The purpose of this study is to determine whether affirmative action can be regarded as ethical, given the circumstances in South Africa. The need for the study arose after various political parties indicated that affirmative action would be introduced in the "New South-Africa". Organisations need to know whether affirmative action is ethical so that these programs can enjoy the support of management. If these programs do not enjoy management support, they will not succeed. The history of South-Africa clearly indicate that whites discriminated against blacks from as early as 1660. The first law that reserved work for whites was introduced in 1911. In 1912 the Native Land Act was introduced. This can be regarded as the beginning of apartheid. Blacks were prevented from starting their own businesses and from participating in the employment market. In the 1970 a start was made to remove these obstacles. A new era began in the
history of this country with the appointment of FW de Klerk as state President on 15 September 1989. Today, in 1993 no more discriminatory legislation exists. Affirmative action is a positive step to remove the backlog that was caused by discrimination. The disadvantages of affirmative action are: it is reverse discrimination against whites; it lowers productivity; increases racial conflict; the blacks who need it the least receives the greatest advantages and affirmative action causes blacks to loose pride and self respect. The advantages of affirmative action are: affirmative action rewards blacks for damages caused by apartheid; affirmative action works against discrimination; affirmative action improves and creates wealth; lowers social unrest; lowers the
shortage of skilled labour and creates role models. The study concludes that affirmative action is ethical in the South-African context. The personal freedom of whites, which
is effected by affirmative action, is a result of their own actions. Affirmative action is necessary to reward the blacks for damages suffered as a result of apartheid. This
will lift blacks out of poverty and will work against discrimination.