Is it racist?

South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal health department expanded its registrar program in 2019 from 314 to 414, but, according to a leaked memo, it aimed to fill the 100 new posts with only black candidates.

Departmental spokesperson Ncumisa Mafunda said historical redress was a government imperative and “the morally and socially right thing to do”.

“South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal, remains an unequal society with limited opportunities for self-development for those who were historically oppressed.”

However, the quota was not met and Mafunda was forced to admit – shock, horror – non-Black African doctors…

“After difficulties were experienced in recruiting black African candidates for these posts, a deviation was sought from the accounting officer and, out of a total of 77 registrar posts, 21 posts will be offered to non-Black Africans.”