Address challenge of inclusivity speedily
AFTER more than a quarter of a century of constitutional democracy which had its inception on April 27, 1994, when the Interim Constitution came into operation, South Africa, as a diverse nation, faces inordinate challenges.
Although progress has indeed been made in the nearly 26 years of democratic rule, our country and its people remain a profoundly divided nation and the legacies of colonialism and apartheid have left very painful scars that continue to blight our society.
In this regard we face the challenge of becoming a truly inclusive society, instead of the disparate groups and factions of people, many of whom feel marginalised and disgruntled by their lack of inclusion.
Although there are many aspects to this lack of inclusivity, at its root is that vast economic inequality in relation to resources and opportunities.
About 56% of the population – some 30.4 million people – in South Africa live below the poverty datum line of R41 a day (Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group), predominantly Africans, are having to eke out an existence and are excluded from the formal economic system, with 29% of mainly Africans being unemployed.
This is also a cogent threat to our democracy, and has a revolutionary potential as a politically destabilising influence. It is essential that they be included in a meaningful way in the mainstream economy.
Most of these persons are unemployed or receive a social grant, which saves them from destitution, although they remain poverty stricken. Spatial segregation, one of the cruel legacies of our tragic and traumatic past, still exists, and the vast majority of Africans live in townships far removed from their workplaces, and excluded from essential amenities.
Although our constitutional democracy has brought a political system in which the African majority rules through an elected ANC government, this party has in practice become increasingly racial in character. To all extent and purposes it has abandoned non-racialism and the minority population groups of whites, coloureds and Indians are feeling politically excluded. They support opposition parties which have limited African support.
The policy of cadre deployment by the ANC government has resulted in the appointment of inexperienced persons to positions in the public service and in the three spheres of government, with serious consequences for the effective provision of services and increased corruption, which has led to the phenomenon of state capture.
This has contributed to an increasing sense of frustration and helplessness among the minority groups, as well as the African majority.
This pattern of inclusion and exclusion is a feature of the social-economic and political scene, and is found also in health and education.
It is essential that our political leaders in government and opposition work towards greater and more rapid inclusion to ensure socio-economic justice and political stability.
It is imperative that the Ramaphosa administration be perceived to be a determined, united, effective and cogently vocal administration and not apparently paralysed by internal factionalism.