Steers Incident More Than Worker Exploitation?

The recent Steers incident, sparked by a viral video of workers doing gardening tasks, has brought to light not just workplace exploitation but also tensions between South Africans and Zimbabweans. Conversations on social media have shifted from workers’ rights to questions about national identity and ethnicity.

At the center of the debate is the manager’s alleged Zimbabwean nationality, which has upset many South Africans who feel their job opportunities are being taken by foreign workers. Meanwhile, Zimbabweans deny this claim, pointing to the manager’s mispronunciation of “Zimbabwe” as proof he is not one of their own.

Steers addressed the situation, stating: “This work should not have been carried out by staff. We will ensure all managers are retrained on labor practices.”

The incident sheds light on shared concerns about job security and dignity in the workplace that affect both groups. Encouraging conversations that go beyond national identities could help build solidarity among workers and promote fair treatment for all, regardless of nationality.