‘Dis-Chem withdraws memo on barring hiring whites, but says intention remains’ 17 October 2022

JSE-listed Dis-Chem has done an about turn, withdrawing an internal memorandum to staff from its founder and CEO Ivan Saltzman that called for a moratorium on hiring white people at the pharmaceutical retailer. The group, whose original memo was aimed at improving its employment equity targets, said in a "communique" from its board that it regretted offending staff and customers, and vowed to improve internal processes around what it communicated in the future. After initially standing by the memo on Friday, the company said on Monday it regretted the "wording and tone" of the memo, adding it had "been erroneously widely shared".

…It said that "more importantly" it regretted the "offence and distress it caused to so many people, including our staff and millions of loyal customers", adding it valued all its employees and appreciated their contribution to the group. "We reiterate that while the wording of the internal memo was withdrawn, its intention remains," Dis-Chem said on Tuesday. "All appointments at junior, middle and senior management level will require CEO approval, and appointments will be made based on merit and the necessity of giving employment preference to previously disadvantaged individuals."

…In Monday’s statement, the group said it stood by "the unequivocal imperative to continue our transformation journey", adding that "equality, diversity and inclusivity are important throughout Dis-Chem". It said it continued to "make great strides in ensuring that we maintain progress in this area". "We have always been cognisant of imperative to comply with all legislation including employment equity on our journey to meet transformation targets, and with a priority of employment on merit, based on our view of giving employment preference to previously disadvantaged communities. We apologise for the erroneous communication which caused offence to any South African community."