The DA's Stellenbosch mayor said the video was 'cause for significant concern' and would be investigated.
A video has surfaced showing the human resources manager at the Stellenbosch municipality suggesting a harsh stance needs to be taken with the recruitment of white employees.
Stellenbosch HR manager Alexander Kannemeyer can be seen making a case for the exclusion of white men, as well as how to treat them should they be employed.
Run by the DA, the party said on Tuesday evening that it was “marshalling the facts”, as it relayed the statement issued by its mayor, Jeremy Fasser.
‘Always whites in charge’
The video shows an excerpt from a discussion between municipal officials about the potential hiring of a new employee.
Kannemeyer is heard saying that if the municipality continues to hire white candidates from outside the municipality, it would hinder transformation efforts.
While acknowledging that the best candidates were often white males, he supported giving preference to employees from other demographics.
“I have a concern that we also have always had whites in charge, still in our technical services and water services,” Kannemeyer said.
“I have a problem with that because the message we’re sending out, especially to internal staff, is that they don’t have the capability and the competency for that.”
🚨WATCH: In South Africa, Alexander Kannemeyer, who has been the Human Resources manager for Stellenbosch Municipality, was caught on video suggesting making life DIFFICULT for WHITE employees until they RESIGN in order to replace them with black employees.
— 𝖱𝖤𝖢𝖮𝖭𝟣 ®✞ (@Recon1_ZA) September 2, 2025
Imagine suggesting… pic.twitter.com/5lvE0CyDzH
Kannemeyer goes on to say that in the event of white men being hired, their work environment should be made uncomfortable.
“I cannot support the fact that we always appoint the best scoring candidate and it is always the white male,” said the HR manager.
“I am saying we make life difficult for the person who came in, the person resigns and afterwards we get what we want,” he said, to the agreement of gathered officials.
Stellenbosch mayor investigating
The video is reportedly two years old, but Fasser was quick to respond as the video gained traction on social media.
“I wish to state that these events occurred in early 2023, before I became mayor. I am currently investigating and will issue a further statement when this is completed.
“At face value, the video is a cause for significant concern, and we will get to the heart of the matter and take appropriate further action as warranted,” stated Fasser.
Stellenbosch communications manager Stuart Grobbelaar told The Citizen that Kannemeyer’s comments were not the official recruitment policy of the municipality and that his comments were part of a broader discussion.
“Mr Kannemeyer was an HR advisor sitting in on the process back in March 2023 to advise on various aspects of the selection process as well as employment equity as mandated by national government legislation.
“[Kannemeyer] was not a scoring panellist. The highest scoring candidate was in fact appointed and is still in that position,” Grobbelaar said.
Political party responds
Freedom Front Plus Western Cape deputy leader Gert van Niekerk urged the DA to take action over the “troubling themes” voiced by the HR official.
“Such statements are not only unlawful and discriminatory but also undermine the quality of service delivery and professional standards within the municipality,” Van Niekerk said on Wednesday morning.
The video surfaces in the same week that the department of employment and labour’s new employment equity regulations take effect.
The department’s numerical targets set demographic restrictions for 18 sectors in the South African economy, with failures to comply resulting in substantial fines.
NOW READ: Five-year employment equity targets: What must each sector aim for?
