Solidarity representing more candidates in SAA case

Trade union Solidarity today announced that it is already representing ten white men whose applications for the cadet programme of South African Airways (SAA) were unsuccessful because of their race. Meanwhile, Solidarity is awaiting feedback from the SAA after it initiated a legal process on behalf of the candidates and requested the Human Rights Commission to facilitate a meeting between it and the SAA.

Dirk Hermann, Deputy General Secretary of Solidarity, says the trade union hopes to resolve the matter through dialogue, but will not hesitate to proceed with the legal process. ‘The candidates are hoping that they can still be included in the cadet programme based on merit before it starts later this year. The process created unreasonable expectations and, in so doing, infringed on the group's right to dignity and equality.'

Americo Carneiro (28), a chartered accountant, was invited to undergo psychometric testing in November last year. On 8 June this year he was informed by e-mail that his application had been unsuccessful. ‘I was really disappointed and angry and questioned my competence and ability. I was furious when I saw how many candidates had been selected, but that there were no white men. It feels as though we weren't even considered. I know I have the aptitude, passion and skills to fly an airplane. We weren't the richest family, but my parents taught us good values and did everything they could to give us a good start in life. There were definitely black, Indian and coloured candidates who were more well-off or in the same circumstances I was in.'

Jan-Paul Nel (21) says he has known since the age of four that he wanted to become a pilot. ‘When I was little I said I wanted to become an "airplane driver". Flying is my life and I can't image doing anything else. I'm truly passionate about it.' Nel already has a pilot's licence. ‘When I heard that no whites had been chosen, I was rather upset, because whites had been discriminated against during the process on the basis of their race. Nelson Mandela once fought for justice and equality, but this is not what is happening. I believe in selection on the basis of qualifications.'

Nelis van Niekerk (23) has a BCom Accounting Degree and has wanted to become a pilot since the age of ten. ‘The time that I trained for my private pilot's licence was the best time of my life. I just realised once again that I was made for flying. I wanted to be part of the cadet programme, because pilot training is very expensive and I thought the SAA would give first-rate training. When I eventually got the e-mail telling me that my application had been unsuccessful, I actually expected it, because I hadn't heard from them for a while. Before I got the e-mail, I was still hoping, because I had been on the shortlist and had gone for psychometric testing.'

Solidarity is representing Carneiro, Nel, Van Niekerk, Armand Moolman, Christopher James Baden Hall, Daniël Hoffman, Dirk Kotze, J.F. Simonis, Pierre de Klerk and Werner Schultz.

The public can send letters of protest regarding SAA quotas through the webpage, www.stopkwotas.co.za, to the SAA. Another way to participate in the protest action is by sending the word ‘Quota' to 34388. An SMS will be charged at R2 and will be added to the protest messages. The campaign can also be followed on Twitter at #StopSAA.

Statement issued by Dirk Hermann, Deputy General Secretary: Solidarity, June 20 2013

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