Tag: inequality

Worrier State looks at the pervasive culture of fear in South Africa. It reveals how narratives of fear manifest in contemporary media forms and the people they serve, and how these are impacted by race, class, gender, space and identity.

As leaders meet to discuss the state of the world and the difficult road ahead at the World Economic Forum, a frank and honest discussion about the loss of educational opportunities in developing markets is long overdue.  

While much has been written about the need for structural reform in the economy, and the need for the government to have more investment friendly policies, it is also useful to look at where the government can cut costs to prevent South Africa falling off a fiscal cliff in the medium term.

Culture and religion are interwoven into the fabric of society and play a critical role in sharing important values in homes and communities. For many, culture and religion define how they see and understand the world and provide the guidelines and norms underpinning their behaviour.  

Reading through the proposed amendments to the Companies Act again, it struck me that they are symptomatic of a general South African problem: too much regulation, too few results. No doubt some of these amendments are necessary, but will they actually address the big issues that concern us all?

It’s no secret that South Africa’s education system suffers from inequality and inefficiency. However, in such a young democracy, a certain degree of stumbling is to be expected. Unfortunately, even as we address past-era issues, the gap between privileged private-school education and that provided in peri-urban and rural areas is becoming undeniable and ever-widening, in no small part as a result of the complex COVID-19 environment.

South Africa saw its most destructive riots in years this past July, ostensibly in response to former President Jacob Zuma's imprisonment and due to socio-economic factors. The Constitutional Court's sentencing of Zuma was widely hailed as a victory for the Rule of Law, but the commentariat in many cases remains blissfully unaware of its diagnostic blindspots.

After the shocking riots that engulfed South Africa last month, all of us in this beautiful country have cause for deep reflection, regardless of our race, religion, age or political views. Was this a singular event, why did it happen? Few would deny that the inequality in our society, poverty and unemployment of so many are among the root causes.

Written by the author of Incorruptible, The Unlikely Mr Rogue: A life with Ivan Pillay is the story of the quiet man behind the so-called ‘rogue unit’ at SARS who has become a lightning rod for so many in politics. It takes the reader on a journey from Ivan’s growing up in Merebank, KwaZulu-Natal, to his politicisation, his friendship with Pravin Gordhan and the story of Operation Vula, which Ivan ran from Lusaka, reporting to Oliver Tambo.

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reported on October 29 that South Africa’s unemployment rate increased from 29.0% in 2019 Q2 to 29.1% in the third quarter. This was the highest jobless reading since 2003, and South Africa now has the joint fourth-highest unemployment rate out of 182 countries tracked by Trading Economics.