M-Net: Whites now welcome to apply for internships at its Magic in Motion Academy; all race groups can now apply for film academy's class of 2016.

In an abrupt about-turn M-Net says white students are now allowed to apply for internships at the South African pay-TV broadcaster's film academy.

It follows pressure from the trade union Solidarity that said it will be filing a class action complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (HRC) about what it said was "M-Net's discriminating Magic in Motion internship" programme and which led to an escalating race row with the broadcaster.

M-Net said that it wasn't breaking any laws by excluding whites from applying for internships for its Magic in Motion Academy (MiM).

On Tuesday M-Net's lawyers said that all race groups can now apply for MiM Academy internships.

The MiM Academy started as a brand-new corporate social investment (CSI) initiative this year, doing phenomenal work in 2015 to expose South African film students, working as interns, to the South African television business by getting hands-on experience across a range of M-Net, kykNET and Mzansi Magic channels' productions.

The MiM Academy is overseen by the veteran producer and director Bobby Heaney as the academy's director.

M-Net increased the number of internships from 12 for 2015 to 20 for 2016 but said that whites are not allowed to apply and that internships are "strictly EE (Employment Equity) qualifying candidates only – black, coloured and Indian". Applications for the MiM Academy close on 11 December.

M-Net has now changed the advertisement, with it now saying that "applications are open to all and preference will be given to EE qualifying candidates".

"In a letter received from M-Net's lawyers it is indicated that the internship is now open to all races," says Dirk Groenewald, the head of Solidarity's Centre for fair labour practices.

"Should it transpire that no white candidates were included in the programme, this amendment would only have been lip service and we would continue to lodge a complaint with the Human Rights Commission."

"From now on, Solidarity will also act as watchdog for similar cases and should there be non-compliance with legal requirements we will not hesitate to approach the courts," says Dirk Groenewald.

M-Net that originally issued a statement inviting candidates for the 2016 class and the requirements, didn't issue a statement about the revised MiM Academy application requirements.

M-Net facing class action case over alleged racial discrimination; pay-TV broadcaster says its Magic in Motion Film Academy is not breaking any laws.

M-Net is facing a class action complaint over alleged racial discrimination and excluding white students from its Magic in Motion Academy, while the pay-TV broadcaster says its rules are not breaking the law.

M-Net has become embroiled in a growing race row at the start of the second year of its Magic in Motion Academy (MiM Academy).

The MiM Academy started as a brand-new corporate social investment (CSI) initiative this year and has done terrific work in 2015 to expose South African film students, working as interns, to the South African television business by getting hands-on experience across a range of M-Net, kykNET and Mzansi Magic channels' productions.

The MiM Academy is overseen by the veteran producer and director Bobby Heaney as the academy's director.

M-Net is allegedly excluding white students from applying for one of the 20 internships for 2016 - up from 12 positions this year - saying that applications are "strictly EE (Employment Equity) qualifying candidates only – black, coloured and Indian". Applications close on 11 December.

Trade union Solidarity announced that it will now file a class complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (HRC) about what it says is "M-Net's discriminating Magic in Motion internship" programme.

"M-Net indicated that only black, coloured and Indian persons would be considered for an internship opportunity. This opportunity excludes all white persons," says Dirk Groenewald, the head of Solidarity's Centre for fair labour practices.

"Our complaint to the HRC is based on the prohibition by law of quotas and absolute limitations as well as the reservation of jobs."

"The explanation M-Net offered to Solidarity is unacceptable and serves as confirmation that they are excluding all white persons, and therefore, they are acting in breach of the law."

"It is totally unacceptable that M-Net supports and implements such discriminating practices. We will request the HRC to give its urgent attention to the matter and will also argue that M-Net should do away with those practices," says Dirk Groenewald. "We also have a social obligation to stand up against those racist practices".

In a statement M-Net CEO Yolisa Phahle says M-Net is not breaking the law and that M-Net "rejects Solidary's claim that out internship programme does not comply with the Employment Equity Act".

Yolisa Phahle says M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy initiative is in line with the Employment Equity Act "which requires us to remove barriers to employment - which is exactly what Magic in Motion does".

"Magic in Motion is one of several interventions we are making to transform the sector, including significant investments in local content and the development of local film production companies."

"We will continue to play a role in building an electronic media sector which is truly representative of all South Africans," says Yolisa Phahle.

M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy embroiled in a race row; trade union Solidarity slams pay-TV broadcaster over exclusion of white students from internship positions.

M-Net and its Magic in Motion Academy has become embroiled in a row about race with trade union Solidary slamming M-Net, saying the South African pay-TV broadcaster is unfairly discriminating by allowing no white students to apply for academy internships.

M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy (MiM Academy) that started last year has been doing wonderful work with the veteran producer and director Bobby Heaney as the academy's director.

For its second year, M-Net is expanding the landmark internship programme from 12 to 20 positions to give film and TV graduates much-needed and in-depth practical experience as they work closely with some of South Africa's top producers and TV shows.

According to M-Net, applications for the film Academy that closes on 11 December are "strictly EE (Employment Equity) qualifying candidates only – black, coloured and Indian".

According to Dirk Groenewald, the head of Solidarity's Centre for Fair Labour Practices, M-Net's film academy doesn't comply with the provisions of the Employment Equity Act.

"It boils down to nothing but the total exclusion of white people and amounts to a quota system."

"The said legislation prohibits quota systems. Moreover, the courts, including the Constitutional Court, have already found that the use of a quota system as well as the exclusion of people based on the grounds of their skin colour is unlawful".

Dirk Groenewald says Solidarity asked M-Net to amend the Magic in Motion advertisement in order for whites to also be allowed to apply for the internships. Solidarity plans to lodge a complaint with the Human Rights Commission if the MiM Academy requirement isn't changed.

Dirk Groenewald says it is allegedly not the first time that MultiChoice has reserved vacant posts for certain race groups only.

"Multichoice has already advertised a significant number of posts exclusively for specific race groups. It is clear that the race problem at MultiChoice is far more significant than initially thought."

Asked why M-Net's Magic in Motion Academy internship positions decided to exclude a certain race group, M-Net told TVwithThinus that the focus of the film academy is on previously disadvantaged communities.

"As the MiM Academy is one of M-Net's corporate social investment initiatives, the focus of the initiative is on previously disadvantaged communities".

"However, whilst it is targeted to a pre-determined demographic requirement in line with powerful national transformation objectives, there are also positions and development opportunities at M-Net that are open to a wider pool," says M-Net.

"In this way, M-Net is focused on maintaining its multi-cultural, diverse talent complement".