The Public Service Act before 1996 allowed discrimination based

The Public Service Act before 1996, particularly in the context of South Africa during the apartheid era, allowed for discrimination based on race, gender, and other factors. The apartheid legislation enforced racial segregation and inequality, which also extended to public services and employment. As a result, individuals from different racial and ethnic backgrounds faced systematic discrimination and were often excluded from certain jobs or government positions based solely on their race. The Act and related policies institutionalized these discriminatory practices, contributing to the broader system of apartheid that was designed to maintain white minority rule in South Africa. It was only with the end of apartheid and the adoption of new laws and policies, including the new Constitution in 1996, that these discriminatory practices were abolished and equality became the standard in public service employment.