Andy Bond, Wal-Mart's executive vice-president responsible for UK and Africa operations, has assured anyone who's willing to listen that the company's entrance into the South African market will not see jobs being lost, but in fact created. He says that is what has happened in every other market into which the company has gone. Moreover, according to Business Day, he also said that the parent company in the US would not be sending in new management to replace that at Massmart. Cosatu, SA's largest labour federation, has however described Wal-Mart as "one of the worst union-bashing employers in the world", but in recent years the company has apparently been trying to clean up its reputation as an employer. So? What next? Will the unions adopt a "wait-and-see" attitude? The bottom line for many consumers, however, is probably this: The sooner Wal-Mart enters the SA market, the better.

Rod Baker, General Manager: Content
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