This is a very interesting article which talks about how South Africa’s business sector is dominated by the white minority. The article talks about how the South African government which consists of the black majority ANC has sought to provide opportunities for the country’s majority black population to achieve greater economic status and influence.
I was very blow by some of the statistics such as black South Africans makeup nearly 80% of the economically active population, but they hold just 14% of top management jobs. It is very shocking that even after the apartheid there seems to be a gap in economic class. South Africa’s labor minister commented on these findings, “A white, male-dominant organizational culture still prevails. I am very shocked that apartheid indirectly exists in Africa. It makes me question the governments in these countries who are made up of a majority of black people. This issue is very similar to that of the United States, the only problem being that the US is a white majority. I believe African leaders have to rectify this situation. They owe it to their people, this is a complete disgrace to the struggles of great leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah and Nelson Mandela.
Although the apartheid ended in 1994, the system in which apartheid was allowed is still active. If the system does not change, these acts of racism do not get out of society. As a result of this, inequality continues to persist as well as high levels of poverty within the country. The poverty and division are incomparable to what was happening during 1994. Even with programs like the black economic empowerment programs to ensure black ownership, the white minorities already have too much control over the state’s properties and have major connections to several banks, international companies and shareholders as well. This control allows the hire of friends and family and the will for these white minorities to have more control on the inside and prevent qualified black people from taking up top management roles in the country.
Leaders in South Africa definitely do have a major role to play in this issue. Economic growth within the country has been perceived to be faster due to these corporations being owned by these white minorities. On the other hand, it has been thought to bring about slower economic growth if these corporations or ownership were to be put in the hands of black people in the country. As such, leaders must look into the redistribution of ownership in order to save the country in terms of inequality and poverty.