Zuma courts white trade union

JOHANNESBURG – Jacob Zuma, leader of the ruling ANC who could become president in 2009, told South Africa’s Solidarity trade union on Thursday that the white minority should not feel threatened.

Solidarity, traditionally a white-dominated union, has pushed for minority rights to be respected and is critical of the government’s affirmative action policy. “Some perceive the efforts to remove white or male privilege as an assault on the rights of white South Africans or on the rights of male South Africans,” Zuma said in a copy of a speech at the union’s national congress released before delivery.”We need to answer such perceptions.And the only way we’re going to do that is by sitting down and discussing such issues.”Solidarity views Zuma as more accessible than past party leaders because he was engaging Afrikaner workers, not just the minority’s elite, its deputy general secretary Dirk Hermann said in a statement.”We all seek a society in which no person is privileged at the expense of another, and that no person is oppressed for the benefit of another,” said Zuma.”That is why, among other things, the ANC welcomes increased interaction between the different formations of organised labour in this country.”Zuma defeated state President Thabo Mbeki in the race to lead the African National Congress in December and is likely to become president in 2009 if he defeats corruption charges in his trial which starts in August..He has been on a charm offensive in recent days, meeting businessmen and speaking at a forum hosted by the chief Rabbi of South Africa.Zuma strongly defended affirmative action and said it would help address the injustices of the apartheid era and ensure economic growth as more blacks gain employment.South Africa is pushing companies to meet targets on black ownership, employment and procurement as part of a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) drive meant to shift more of the mostly white-controlled economy into black hands.Critics of the drive say it has made a small minority of black businessmen – many of whom have close links to the ANC – rich rather than helping millions of poor blacks.Last month white journalists were barred from covering a debate at a forum for black journalists where Zuma was the guest speaker.Nampa-Reuters”Some perceive the efforts to remove white or male privilege as an assault on the rights of white South Africans or on the rights of male South Africans,” Zuma said in a copy of a speech at the union’s national congress released before delivery.”We need to answer such perceptions.And the only way we’re going to do that is by sitting down and discussing such issues.”Solidarity views Zuma as more accessible than past party leaders because he was engaging Afrikaner workers, not just the minority’s elite, its deputy general secretary Dirk Hermann said in a statement.”We all seek a society in which no person is privileged at the expense of another, and that no person is oppressed for the benefit of another,” said Zuma.”That is why, among other things, the ANC welcomes increased interaction between the different formations of organised labour in this country.”Zuma defeated state President Thabo Mbeki in the race to lead the African National Congress in December and is likely to become president in 2009 if he defeats corruption charges in his trial which starts in August..He has been on a charm offensive in recent days, meeting businessmen and speaking at a forum hosted by the chief Rabbi of South Africa.Zuma strongly defended affirmative action and said it would help address the injustices of the apartheid era and ensure economic growth as more blacks gain employment.South Africa is pushing companies to meet targets on black ownership, employment and procurement as part of a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) drive meant to shift more of the mostly white-controlled economy into black hands.Critics of the drive say it has made a small minority of black businessmen – many of whom have close links to the ANC – rich rather than helping millions of poor blacks.Last month white journalists were barred from covering a debate at a forum for black journalists where Zuma was the guest speaker.Nampa-Reuters