The corrective policy had served its purpose and should be disposed of, leaders of the Independent Democrats (ID), Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) and National Action (NA) told business representatives at a breakfast meeting in Pretoria.
ID deputy leader Themba Sono received applause from the audience when he stressed the importance of equal rights.
He proposed the phasing out of affirmative action within five or ten years, saying merit should become the only criterion.
"People, especially black people, should be proud of our own capability and our own merit rather than believe too much in entitlement," he told the gathering.
Sono said affirmative action had failed the masses, describing it as a "re-circulation of the same usual suspects" – mostly members of the urban elite.
Those who ought to have been the beneficiaries of affirmative action were still struggling from day to day in urban areas.
NA co-leader Danie Schutte blamed affirmative action for incompetence in the police, justice department, and the civil service.
The policy was morally wrong as it discriminated against a sector of society, and was not good for the country, he said.
"It rewards mediocrity, not excellence. Why would a person who benefited from affirmative action excel when he knows he will always be the preferred candidate anyway?" Schutte said it was not fair to deny an indigent white youngster opportunities and give them instead to the child, for example, of a black Cabinet member.
FF Plus national candidate Adam Jacobs said affirmative action had the potential of ruining the economy. It was detrimental to productivity, which was in turn the key to prosperity.
Economic growth, he said, was the only answer to empowering previously disadvantaged people.
Inkatha Freedom Party Northern Cape leader Hennie Bekker said affirmative action was necessary to rectify the wrongs of the past, but should not in itself be blatantly discriminatory.
"We have to create a balance," he told the gathering.
The leaders were briefing business delegates on their parties' economic policies. – Sapa.
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
