Racial Disparity Persists in South African Leadership Roles

Despite three decades of democracy, South Africa’s top management remains starkly unequal, with white professionals still overwhelmingly dominant. According to the 2025 Commission for Employment Equity report, white individuals hold 61.1% of top roles—eight times their share of the Economically Active Population—while black Africans, who form the majority, are severely underrepresented at just 18%. The government aims to address this disparity through amendments to the Employment Equity Act, proposing five-year sector targets. However, opposition parties, particularly the DA, are pushing back, threatening legal action. The report also revealed that gender inequality persists, with men occupying over two-and-a-half times as many top positions as women. As the private sector lags in transformation, officials stress that bold, inclusive action is now essential for equitable economic progress.

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