Rethinking the Diversity Paradigm: South African Practices

• Published in: International journal of diversity in organisations, communities and nations communities and nations, 2007, Vol.7 (4), p.1-10
• Main Authors: Booysen, Lize Annie Eliza, Kelly, Claire, Nkomo, Stella, Steyn, Melissa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1447-9532; 1447-9583
• DOI: 10.18848/1447-9532/CGP/v07i04/58021

For the last ten years South Africa has seen a growing ‘industry’ in ‘diversity’ work. Agencies offering consultancy on diversity have mushroomed. There are no standards by which such work can be categorised or assessed, especially regarding outcomes aimed at ‘management of difference’ vs. ‘transformation’. This project theorises diversity and transformation from a South African position as well as deepens the discussion around marginalisation, gender, culture and power etc. in the South African context. In order to do this we asked the following questions: 1. What is the nature/rigour of the equity/diversity interventions taking place in South African organisations? 2. How relevant are international frameworks for working with diversity to the South African context? What ‘works’ and why? What doesn't ‘work’ and why not? 3. How does our analysis of the previous two questions challenge/corroborate/qualify the way in which diversity is generally theorised from the dominant intellectual areas of the North? What stays the same? What changes? Are there some basic themes which are overarching? If so what are they? Are there some themes specific to South Africa and if so what are they? How does/should this affect the way change agents go about working in organisations?