The book – Affirmative Tears: Why representivity does not equal equality by Dr Dirk Hermann – relates several personal stories of AA and how it impacts on the personal lives of people.
These are some quotes from the book:
Renate Barnard (employee of the SAPS, during a court case about affirmative action): ‘How do you now feel about your future in the police?’ Utter silence followed while Renate carefully considered her response. Was the court to witness her frustration with the SAPS boiling over now? After a few moments she said, ‘I chose a police career. I’m mad about my work and I’m a proud member of the SAPS.’ And then the tears started flowing.
Rhoda Kadalie (human rights activist): ‘We find incompetent people in the highest echelons of the government. They are there because they are politically connected and useful.’
Nelson Mandela (former President): ‘We are not asking for hand-outs for anyone, nor are we saying that just as a white skin was a passport to privilege in the past, so a black skin should be the basis of privilege in the future.’
Christo February (employee at the Department of Correctional Services in the Western Cape): ‘My career is not determined by what I do, but by the colour of my skin. I felt like a third-class citizen in this country.’
FW de Klerk (former President): ‘In my opinion, affirmative action must be adapted, firstly, to not be as racist as it is. Secondly, the person involved in it must be taken into consideration.’
Available from Kraal Uitgewers (Affirmative tears: Why representivity does not equal equality is also available in Afrikaans as Regstellende trane: Waarom verteenwoordigendheid nie gelykheid is nie.)
Selling at R120 (R20 postage excluded) – if purchased directly from the publisher. To order send an e-mail to kraal@solidariteit.co.za or visit www.kraaluitgewers.co.za
