Labour Appeal Court's ruling on Eskom promotions undermines the principles of competence and hard work

Image: FF Plus

The Labour Appeal Court ruling allowing Eskom to prioritise race over merit in appointing individuals to senior management positions undermines all principles of competence and hard work.

(Eskom allowed to exclude white males from senior management appointments: MyBroadband: 8 November 2025)

Mr Alwyn Erasmus, who had been employed by Eskom for over 30 years, had his application for a vacant senior management position rejected several years ago because he is white. Eskom argued that black men and women of any race should be given preference. 

Solidarity subsequently assisted Mr Erasmus, and in May last year, Labour Court Judge Hilary Rabkin-Naicker ruled that Eskom’s actions constituted unfair discrimination and a violation of South Africa’s Employment Equity Act.

Eskom appealed the matter to the Labour Appeal Court, which overturned the Labour Court’s decision and ruled in Eskom’s favour last week.

The Court held that the relevant legislation is designed to “protect and advance” designated groups by giving preference to black men and women.

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) views this ruling as a violation of individual rights and a validation of race-based policies that have, for over 30 years, caused significant and tangible damage to South Africa’s state institutions and economy.

For years, the Freedom Front Plus was the only one warning against the detrimental consequences of Affirmative Action (AA) and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), but recently, more objections to the policies are being voiced.

These policies do not redress historical inequalities, instead, they contribute to the collapse of key institutions such as Eskom, which plays a major role in the country’s economic decline.

For decades, highly competent and trained individuals in the public sector have been sidelined for the sake of quotas and demographic targets, leading to incompetent appointments and a culture of biased cadre deployment.

This is particularly evident at Eskom. Calls to bring skilled individuals back to save the institution have even come from within government circles.

After more than three decades of AA and BEE, the question remains: How much longer? The time has come for a society where merit — not skin colour or gender — is the decisive factor in public sector appointments.

That is the only way to truly uplift all those who need it. AA has failed in South Africa, becoming an instrument of reverse discrimination.

The Freedom Front Plus demands a time limit on race-based laws such as AA and a review of legislation such as the Employment Equity Act.

The future of the country’s youth should no longer be sacrificed on the altar of ANC ideology. It is time for a new era of fairness where merit and competence replace cadre incompetence.