As we try to figure out how to get a job in South Africa, we can't ignore the disturbing fact that managers and senior officials often use their power to get their own way instead of hiring people based on their skills.
Today, people give jobs to their friends and family or even trade them for sexual favors.
People who don't have connections or money have to struggle to find meaningful work, which is a heartbreaking fact.
But it looks like things may be getting better. Screenshots of a conversation between a manager and a job seeker have been making the rounds on social media.
It looks like the manager is using his power to ask for sexual favors in exchange for a job. This is a clear misuse of power, and it breaks my heart to see how desperate the job seeker is and how she feels she has no choice but to give in.
In this situation, both the manager and the person looking for a job are in the wrong. The manager's actions are clearly unethical and unacceptable, but it is also wrong for the job seeker to give up her own values and pride in order to get a job.
It is a sad reminder of how desperate people are and how few choices they have when looking for work.