The African National Congress has opened the door to a debate on whether a sunset clause should apply to affirmative action, Business Report wrote on Friday.

It quoted the new minister in the presidency, Kgalema Motlanthe, as saying the government would consider phasing out the programme.

Qualifying this, Motlanthe said an end date could be considered in certain aspects and only after careful scientific consideration.

Motlanthe made his announcement at a Stellenbosch meeting with Afrikaner business and farming leaders, arranged by ANC MPs Andre Gaum and Francois Beukman.

His remarks had been welcomed by both the Afrikanerbond and Jimmy Manyi, the employment equity commission chairman and Black Management Forum president.

Trade union Solidarity said on Thursday it had been in talks with ANC president Jacob Zuma and Motlanthe to shift the ground on affirmative action.

Motlanthe had suggested a joint ANC-Solidarity task team should discuss the matter, the trade union reported.

Solidarity deputy general secretary Dirk Hermann said the largely white union had been told by Zuma that its ideas on affirmative action were "refreshing".

The union argues that a moratorium should be placed on affirmative appointments in scarce and critical positions, and that young people should be exempted.