Elections reveal inequality in South Africa

One in three South Africans face unemployment today. The country has the highest unemployment rate in the world, and the country’s youth are disproportionately affected by lack of jobs. Those who are employed, earn minimal income.

South Africa holds a government-mandated minimum wage, as employers who fail to pay the mandatory minimum rate face punishment by the government. All workers, including farm and domestic workers are entitled to a minimum wage of R27,58 per hour, while workers employed on an expanded public works programme enjoy a rate of R15,16 per hour.

STARK PICTURE OF SIGNIFICANT INEQUALITIES

Meanwhile, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramphosa, earns R 16 261,93 daily. The former President Jacob Zuma earns R11 461,54 daily while the mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis earns R 5562,84 daily. These statistics paint a stark picture of the significant inequalities that the South African public face on a daily basis. Faced by a large section of South African society, historical inequalities in various socio-economic brackets including education, unemployment, housing, opportunities and basic services has made it highly challenging for people to gain access to basic necessities. Growing demandsfor energy and electricity has resulted in nationwide recurring power cuts, sometimes lasting 12 hours on a daily basis. These issues have been brought to the forefront of the 2024 South African elections, where the African National Congress has lost its dominating political stature for the first time in three decades, marking the end of an era in South African politics.

DECLINING ECONOMIC GROWTH

The results provide some insight to the demands of the South African people, forcing the ANC to look for coalition partners to form the government. The public expects the upcoming government to tackle the key issues that South Africa faces today, and bring about some relief from the harsh unemployment rate and rapidly declining economic growth.