By Akani Nkuna
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for renewed, sustained, and targeted efforts to promote equality and solidarity across South Africa’s communities and sectors, stressing the need for greater workplace representation of people from diverse backgrounds.
“We must concentrate our efforts on promoting equality. This should entail dismantling systemic barriers that sustain discrimination and exclusion, thereby establishing equal opportunities for all. The founding declaration of Nedlac emphasises growth, equity, and participation,” Mashatile said on Friday.
“As social partners, it is our responsibility to ensure greater social equity in the workplace and communities, address large-scale inequalities, and provide basic needs for all people, thereby promoting growth and participation.”
Mashatile was virtually addressing the 30th National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) Annual Summit at Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg, where he hailed past engagements as catalysts for workplace transformation, improving employment equity as mandated by the Employment Equity Act (EEA).
The summit brought together business leaders, community representatives, government officials, and organised labour.
Mashatile said the gathering provides a platform to address challenges related to worker solidarity, gender and race equality, and the pursuit of climate sustainability.
“With the revised Employment Equity Act, we are determined to address the slow pace of transformation, particularly in relation to Black Africans and their representation at senior levels in workplaces… We also understand that equality will require us to accelerate our efforts in skills development, youth empowerment, and bridging the gap between rural and urban economies,” he added.
While noting that the Nedlac summit is not directly responsible for job creation, Mashatile stressed that its role in shaping government policy to drive growth over the past three decades should be recognised.
“In this regard, the Nedlac 30-Year Project should assist government to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms aimed at achieving faster, more inclusive, and sustained economic growth as envisaged by Operation Vulindlela,” he said.
Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth also underscored the importance of the summit, saying it positions Africa as a key player in global debates while ensuring cohesion among African states on development issues.
“This dialogue reaffirmed our collective responsibility to build an Africa that is inclusive, just, and competitive on the global stage – sharing lessons that will guide the future development of responsive labour laws to the ever-changing nature of work, especially within the dynamic geopolitical landscape,” Meth said.
She also announced that the Nedlac Bill of 2025, which seeks to repeal the Nedlac Act of 1994, will be submitted to the Cabinet Committee next week, on 10 September, for approval to be published for public engagement.
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