Democracy's Winners and Losers - South Africa

April 2004
At the end of apartheid, Mandela promised to end the legacy of poverty and unemployment. But that's proving far harder than ever imagined.

In hallways that once echoed only to white footsteps, Thabo Mbeki gives his State of the Nation address. There's a new constitution, electricity has been delivered to 4 million people and water to 9 million. But whilst the ANC have come a long way, they have certainly not solved all the country's ills. "They have failed the biggest test of all," charges Opposition leader Tony Leon. "They have failed to deliver the better life they promised." 30% of the workforce are unemployment while 21 million live beneath the poverty line. 250,000 people have been murdered since white rule was swept away. "I voted for a better life for all," states one woman. "But for me, I didn't see any changes." The ANC have recently put more money into public works and social payments but much more is needed. An explosion in AIDS, that many feel was poorly handled by the leaders, further fuels the problem. The ANC still dominate political life in South Africa thanks to its role in bringing freedom. But if unemployment and AIDS continue to mushroom, its political hegemony may be challenged.

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[ljs2k7]

nope, afrikaners are white and are the only white natives to africa

[Illuminated7]

i have been in SA for two years and one things is evident -- the middle class and above live very well. The poor (regardless of color suffer in ways that are unbeliveable. UNfortunately, the poor are pawns being used for their votes, and I doubt that they will ever come to that awareness.

[ghanabanana]

(154) that is one fucking huge rat.

[xplosivelilly]

@madscientistify i'm from the caribbean. it's the same shit here

[juanalozada29]

awesome work =)) good job keep it up!



[eita0da]

"The ANC has'nt failed, it's only individuals that have failed to do their jobs properly". That's a profound statement, we'll never give ths hard-earned country back to the hands of the whites. THEY NEVER HAD ANY GOOD INTENTIONS FOR BLACK PEOPLE. History tells it all, they naturally hate black people. We're more like business assets to them. Look at how they always introduce diseases and be the first ones to propose solutions. Just to generate even more profits out of black people.

[blackpower9111]

TAKE BACK SOUTH MY BROTHER AND WE WILL START TO KILL THEM SLOWLY WATCH THIS VIDEO MOTHER FUCKER ...BLACK POWER WE WILL KILL ALL OF YALL RED NECK

PLEASE YOU WHITE SOUTH AFRICA ARE GOING NO WHERE YALL ALL ONLY TO BE KILL SLOWLY HAHHAHAH WATCH THIS VIDEO AND WHAT YOU KNOW IT ALL MATCH UP ........WATCH THIS VIDEO

Extermination of white people

[Rico8458]

was that city run by the Arabs or Muslims? i am talking about modern day, modern era, not ancient history. i know Egypt was black african and a very great nation

[randomdude5640]

@Rico8458 Africans have never run their own countries since whites (no offense) showed up.

The African city of Timbuktu used to be one of the safest places to do trade. :P

[randomdude5640]

Wealthy nations need to quit the influence and exploitation of African economies and trade fair for the RICH resources that the countries with in Africa hold.

Many people deny the actual truth that wealthy nations have influence over leadership of African nations. At this rate I'd guess that ultimately Africa will probably end up slaves to their own debt. 

[0neofthem]

no wonder nuclear weapons were independently developed under white rule. africans are just too divided. too much diversity leads to easy exploitation and domination. its because of this diversity that african peoples are inferior to europeans societally.

[sguardian870]

Also they move to countrie like ghana and SA and are making business there and doing well obviously not all but majority, if nigerian had access to the constant power that the SA's hav damn nigeria would be dubai cos we are doing big with out any help from out leaders.