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White 40-somethings need to adapt to changing times

By Org Geldenhuys
Johannesburg, 09 May 2003

While a lot of middle-aged whites are complaining they cannot find employment because of black empowerment policies, the only way they are going to survive is if they accept this change and find ways of leveraging their skills rather than throwing their hands up in the air and bemoaning their fate.

This is according to Org Geldenhuys, a director of Pretoria-based IT recruitment company, Abacus Recruitment.

"We are flooded with calls from white males above 40 who get irate because they cannot find suitable positions. While I know it is very tough for them to be in this position, the only way they are going to put bread on the table is to embrace the new SA and find ways around this impasse. They have to start thinking like entrepreneurs. One thing they could do is start a consultancy based on their skills set and partner with a black businessman.

"This would open a lot of doors for them, certainly in the black business sector - and in the corporate world. Because, like it or not, black empowerment quotas are going to be passed into law.

"The government is serious about this and they are getting frustrated at the pace of black empowerment growth.

"In his recent state of the nation speech at the opening of Parliament, President Thabo Mbeki said that government concurs with the Black Empowerment Commission`s view that it is time to start making BEE policies more explicit. He also noted that government has prepared a detailed set of proposals on black economic empowerment through the Department of Trade and Industry. It is clear," said Geldenhuys, "that the drive towards real black empowerment is not going to go away overnight."

Commenting further, he said the days of working for big companies and the concept "jobs for life" are long gone. "Even discounting black empowerment for a moment, corporates as a whole are downsizing, making it imperative for people to become flexible and to make their own opportunities by finding gaps in the market and starting small businesses to address these market needs and market gaps. Maybe so-called pale males should be more collaborative and find a way of working with black businessmen to leverage off each other`s strengths.

"Unemployed 40-something white males should also consider approaching black empowerment companies, or 100% black-owned companies, and offer them their skills. It may be that black-dominated boards need white skills in an advisory capacity. The direct approach may be far more appropriate. Show ingenuity, persistence and, perhaps, take on a more direct approach. Sometimes companies are attracted to people who clearly believe in their own abilities and believe that they can add value to a company. Things may be tough, but if one stays positive, one`s chances of finding employment are elevated significantly."

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