Johannesburg - The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) came out glowing at the Department of Labour’s inaugural Employment Equity Awards, aimed at recognising employers who promote equal opportunity, diversity and fair treatment in the workplace.
Guests at the glittering awards ceremony, held in Midrand, on Thursday night, gave the public broadcaster a standing ovation for dominating the awards that seek to ensure that there is equitable representation in the workplace.
The public broadcaster scooped the Excellence Award for being the overall achiever in implementing Employment Equity in the workplace. The SABC was also recognised for advancing the implementation of affirmative action in the employment of people with disabilities.
Communications Minister Faith Muthambi, who was present at the awards, said the SABC was a deserving winner.
“… The majority of the senior management are women. The SABC is also doing well in terms of promoting the true spirit of transformation… There is diversity and they are also doing well in terms of redressing the imbalances of the past by employing people with disabilities.
“In the past, it was very difficult for historically disadvantaged people who never enjoyed equal employment opportunities… The SABC is doing well in terms of complying with the Employment Equity Act … [It must] keep on empowering all our people and excelling in employment equity and diversity.”
Keynote speaker Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said employment equity is about putting mechanisms in place to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to realise their full potential without the threat of unfair discrimination.
He said the awards reinforced the notion that as a nation, everyone must take employment equity seriously and not reduce it to meeting compliance targets.
“We must approach it with an understanding that employment equity is really about maximising the human potential of all South Africans,” he said.
Behind the awards
The awards intend to reward companies that excel in advancing the true spirit of transformation by implementing affirmative action measures to redress disadvantages in employment and promoting equal opportunity, diversity and fair treatment in employment.
The awards coincided with the release and launch of the 15th Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) Report in 2015 and the Public Register. - SAnews.gov.za
