A Policy analysis of the implementation of affirmative action and employment equity : a case study of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (2004-2008).

Abstract

This study examines public policy and policy implementation with specific reference to affirmative action and employment equity. It shows that the translation of affirmative action into public policy can be controversial, complex, and multifaceted. Public policy is examined in general to provide a better understanding of why and how policy such as affirmative action emerges, how it is drafted, the extent to which the policy is implemented and how and why it is needs to be monitored and evaluated. It examines the effect of the political system known as apartheid that was enforced in 1948 by the National Party that totally divided black and white South Africans. The apartheid policies and laws denied and restricted opportunities to Africans, Indians and Coloureds (commonly referred to as black people). Blatant racial discrimination resulted in widespread inequality within South Africa's population. In 1994, when the first democratically elected government came into power in South Africa, legislation was passed to repeal the apartheid laws. One of these laws was the Employment Equity Act (Act 55 of 1998). The study shows that South Africa's past discriminatory education policies continue to complicate the implementation of employment equity policy and that tertiary institutions are seriously affected by it.