There is always tension between national stability and justice
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society could have been compromised. Tension always exists between peace processes aimed at bringing about national stability and the serving of justice. What complicated the South African transitional period, was the obliteration of a distinction between a just cause and unjust cause.
The management of tension between political and justice processes requires a well thought-out strategy, taking into account the future dynamics of society.
South Africa has been able to weather the storm. The Mandela factor and the commitment displayed by the then leadership to building a prosperous, non-sexist and non-racial South Africa paid dividends. The transition from apartheid to the new dispensation was relatively peaceful, taking into account the levels of hostility in the South African landscape.
People may agree or disagree on the approach to reconciliation, but it played a significant role in stabilising the political front.
The strategic assignment of the post-Mandela era under a new leadership was to set up institutions in order for office bearers in particular to uphold, dispense and defend constitutional democracy. Another highest priority was to build the economy which was on the brink of collapse. Bear in mind, the democratic government inherited a state which was technically bankrupt.
It’s alleged that what complicated the situation was the looting of the Treasury by the outgoing apartheid government. It’s reported that a report on the looting of the Treasury by apartheid operatives was compiled and no action was taken against the looters.
This has caused an outcry. The apartheid state was indebted to foreign countries, financial institutions included. Ironically, the democratic government had to service the apartheid debt.
Be that as it may, the situation was largely turned around in the early 2000s: economic growth was at a phenomenal 6 percent.
Noticeably, this did not translate into labour-intensive jobs; instead skills-intensive jobs were created.
A knowledge economy driven by technology is not a labour-intensive regime. Hence, skills development interventions are so critical in building the economy.
The existing societal structure is designed to favour the interests of the elite (owners of the economy), co-opt the political elite and trade union bureaucrats in order to ensure perpetuity of the status quo.
Gains made in post-apartheid society have been reversed to a greater extent by the present political bureaucrats through various means such as unabated corruption in all spheres, mismanagement of institutions; visionless top leadership, factionalisation of state apparatus, allowing political criminal syndicates to operate unhindered within key service delivery regimes.
These factors have contributed to the growth of inequality, poverty and unemployment. These factors have also contributed to the diminishing spirit of reconciliation.
Whoever takes over the reins of power, will struggle to turn the tide in favour of the needs of the people.
The problem is structural and systemic and it requires an overhaul of the status quo.
Reforms will be resisted by a well entrenched and structured patronage cabal with the ability to topple the voices of reason.
The time is ripe for an alternative progressive trajectory; the current status quo is irredeemable and not-reformable. Reconciliation is meaningless to a person trapped in poverty.
• Christian Mbekela is a strategic work consultant specialising in HR, EE and risk management, former Sayco NEC member and he was part of the team that re-established the ANC Youth League. He is currently doing his PhD in the Sociology Department at Rhodes University.