The Institute of Race Relations (IRR) is asking non-ANC Ministers in the Government of National Unity (GNU) where they stand on race-based laws in their respective portfolios as part of its continuing campaign against race classification.
In a statement, the IRR points out that race classification “remains a key feature of life in post-Apartheid South Africa”, and that “(despite) non-racialism being enshrined in the Founding Provisions of the Constitution, official racialism continues”.
The IRR demonstrates this in its Index of Race Laws − a database of all legislation that relies on or incorporates racial classification, from Union in 1910 to the present day. The Index, which was last updated in August 2024, shows that 314 racial Acts were adopted between 1910 and 2024, and that 141 racialised pieces of legislation remain operative or active law.
In light of this, the IRR has asked non-ANC Ministers in the GNU whether they approve of the race-based provisions in the laws for which they are responsible.
Says IRR researcher Chris Patterson: “Will the Ministers stand up for non-racialism? The Government of National Unity has an opportunity to finally put South Africa on a course to proper non-racialism.”
Nearly 50% of South Africans say race relations have improved since 1994 and 67% agree that racism and colonialism are used as excuses for politicians’ failures, according to IRR polling.
“The key to addressing South Africa’s challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment does not lie in keeping racial classification alive through legislation. It lies in giving South Africans of all races the freedom and opportunity to work, earn a living and provide for their families as the means to improving their quality of life,” Patterson concludes.