In a democratic South Africa whose liberators once vowed to establish a non-racial society, one of its top trading and distribution companies Bidvest is caught in a racial storm evolving in a legal battle.
Bidvest is being challenged after it launched a racially discriminating school bursary programme, now steeped in controversy for excluding white employees.
The bursary seeks to only benefit historically disadvantaged individuals among its full-time employees earning less than R15 300 per month before deductions, supporting children between Grade 4 – Grade 12. [businesstech.co.za]
The bursary promises to cover school fees, Waltons stationery, school uniforms and extra classes.
Solidarity launch legal steps
Trade union Solidarity’s CEO Dirk Hermann issued a legal letter to Bidvest challenging this programme, saying: “A white employee earning less than R15 300 has precisely the same challenges with their children as a black employee… What Bidvest is doing for black children is noble, but what they are doing to white children is racist.”
Bidvest has a bursary programme for school-going children from Grade 4 to Grade 12. Full-time employees may apply for the programme if they earn less than R15 300 per monthbefore deductions. The bursary covers school fees, Waltons stationery, school uniforms and help with extra… pic.twitter.com/jf1f3xZ9ZG
— Dirk Hermann (@SolidariDirk) July 4, 2025
The union highlighted the programme’s misalignment with international law, pointing to United Nations resolutions and reports that discourage the use of racial quotas and encourage class-based approaches to redress.
“A case where a low-income threshold is used is ideal for an approach based on class or needs. White employees would be a small minority in this specific class. Including them would be morally right and within the law.”
Issued on Wednesday 9 July, Solidarity demands that Bidvest amend the programme before 25 July.
Bidvest doubles down on B-BEE trust
A response to Solidarity’s initial outcry was written on behalf of Bidvest by Julian Gwillim, chief executive of Aprio Strategic Communications.
He said the Bidvest Education Trust, previously known as the Dinatla Trust established in 2003, was a broad-based black economic empowerment consortium that owned 35% of the Bidvest Group. [dailyinvestor.com]
“In line with the principles and philosophy of the B-BBEE Act 53 of 2003, the Trust was formed for the sole purpose of uplifting Historically Disadvantaged Individuals that are employees of the Bidvest Group. It has been operational for over 22 years and very successful in changing the lives of our employees and their families,” Gwillim wrote.
He added that the Bidvest Group will continue to work toward advancing workplace equality and inclusion This includes broadening the economic participation of Black people (African, Coloured and Indian) in the South African economy.
“We not only comply with, but fully endorse and support, the principles and objectives of the policies and laws of our country that are fundamental to achieving our collective economic and social ambitions.”
Questioning racial quotas
An Op-ed penned by Simon Lincoln Reader criticises Bidvest’s human resources department for allowing ideological activism to override common sense, leading to reputational damage. [irr.org.za]
He argues this move reflects how corporate diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI ) efforts prevalent in the West, modelled after South Africa’s BEE-laws, have become performative and divisive.
“South Africa is seen as ground zero here. Whereas the West had long influenced the country insofar as the arts, sports and business were concerned, from 2020 South Africa appeared to be influencing the West. “
Reader also notes voices like Zambian economist Dambisa Moyo that questioned the foundations and validity of race-based selection.
“More articulate criticism comes from the English-Guyanese campaigner Trevor Phillips. The American economist, Thomas Sowell, has dismissed discrimination via immutable characteristic as a ‘joke’ and while it may not be fashionable to quote Rwanda’s strongman Paul Kagame on many topics, his sentiments that race is no substitute for merit are spot on.”
