Pay-TV operator M-Net has made a U-turn on its internship programme embroiled in a racism storm.
Trade union Solidarity today said M-Net has succumbed to sustained pressure and opened its internship to candidates of all race groups, no longer limiting it to black, coloured and Indian candidates only as previously advertised.
"In a letter received from M-Net's lawyers today, it is indicated that the internship is now open to all races," head of Solidarity's Centre for Fair Labour Practices Dirk Groenewald says.
Solidarity last week accused pay-TV operator M-Net of discriminating against white people. This is after M-Net indicated, in a recent advertisement, that only black, Indian and coloured candidates may apply for a paid internship programme offered by M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy.
M-Net has already amended the advertisements accordingly. While the original ad indicated that "applications are open to strictly to EE (Employment Equity) qualifying candidates (African, Indian and Coloured)," the new one says "applications are open to all and preference will be given to EE qualifying candidates".
Yesterday the trade union Solidarity threatened to file a class complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission against M-Net's alleged discriminatory Magic in Motion internship programme.
"We are encouraging all white candidates who meet the internship requirements to apply. Should it transpire that no white candidates were included in the programme, this amendment would only have been lip service and we would continue to lodge a complaint with the Human Rights Commission.
"From now on, Solidarity will also act as watchdog for similar cases and should there be non-compliance with legal requirements we will not hesitate to approach the courts," Groenewald says.
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