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Appointing black people in positions for which they have not been trained merely to be seen to be supporting affirmative action, was rejected by the Premier of the Western Cape, Mr Gerald Morkel, today.

Addressing the Cape Administrative Provincial Academy at the Kromme Rhee campus near Stellenbosch (11h00, 28 September), Mr Morkel said irrespective of his own commitment to affirmative action, he rejected tokenism.

"We will always prefer training to token appointments of people not capable of doing the job. It is our strive for excellence that has often led to fingers being pointed at this province for an apparent lack of affirmative action appointments at especially senior management level.

"For the information of our critics let me point out that the Kromme Rhee Academy is more than playing its part in this regard. More than 80% of the officials who attend courses and seminars at the academy are from previously disadvantaged groups. At the same time training is provided free of charge to course delegates by this province," Mr Morkel said.

The Provincial Aademy at Kromme Rhee celebrated its second anniversary memorial lecture today.

Inquiries: Chris Koole at 0827743462
Riana Geldenhuys at (082) 376 4709, 021 483 3629

Issued by Office of the Premier, Western Cape

28 September 2001