This article reports on findings from a research study that investigated perceptions of affirmative action appointees regarding training and development intended to assists them to function effectively. The aim of this article is to determine whether affirmative action appointees are provided with the necessary training and development. The research was conducted in the Mpumalanga public hospitals in South Africa. The article also provides perceptual intuition on what affirmative action appointees believe to be essential in carrying out their duties. The research was triangulatory in nature. Using data from structured questionnaires the article explores factors that impede or enhance affirmative action appointees. The findings of the research revealed that the appointees strongly view training and development as a major contributory factor in successfully carrying out their new roles. Therefore, without training and development they