STELLENBOSCH MUNICIPALITY UNDER FIRE FOR LACK OF DIVERSITY

STELLENBOSCH Municipality must provide answers about why black employees and women are not advancing into top management positions.

- NICOLA DANIELS

This is the view of a local government and African studies scholar amid allegations of stalled transformation and concerns over the continued dominance of white males in senior roles at the municipality.

The DA-led municipality has been thrust into the spotlight following a recently leaked video in which Acting Corporate Services Director, Alexander Kannemeyer raises concerns that every time someone was appointed, the highest scorer was a white male.

In the clip just over two minutes long, Kannemeyer is heard saying: “I think we should have the internal candidate but I will write my report to mm (municipal manager). I have a big concern that every time we appoint someone we go to the highest scorer then it's always a white male. I believe we are never gonna get this organisation right (if) we have that type of attitude. We are not gonna transform and we are gonna struggle for years and years. What about our internal staff? I have a big concern within the infrastructure directorate where I’ve

“Every time we appoint someone, we go to the highest scorer then it’s always a white male. We are never gonna get this organisation right (if) we have that type of attitude. We are not gonna transform.”

seen things happening which is very concerning to me...I have concerns that we always have whites in charge in our technical services and water services. I have a problem with that because the message we are sending to especially internal staff is that they don’t have the capability and competency. I cannot support (that). I am not the panel, I can only advise the MM.”