University of Cape Town students burn art

[Sylvana]

Thanks for the insight, Sylvana.

I have a quick question: is it true that income inequality in South Africa is actually worse than it was under Apartheid?  Because if so, then wow.

As far as I know, yes.
Although I might not be the best person to ask.
I would like to point out that the income inequality is worse more because of the way the ANC worships the republican policies of America. So the same weird policies that hoover the money out of the general population and funnel it into the pockets of a few super rich individuals.
Also some people have been able to dig their way out of poverty, there is a growing black middle class which is a good thing. Although for each one who manages to break into the middle class, a hundred end up drowning in abject poverty, grinding away for slave wages.

[SCarpelan]

Pity. If I have understood correctly the ANC and Mandela were pretty much blackmailed into giving up their leftist economic agenda back in the '90s by the Western powers. It sounds like the current leadership has completely embraced the neo-liberal economics.

[Tolpuddle Martyr]

It pisses me right off because the ANC used to be explicitly Democratic Socialist.

Nowadays they're shooting striking coal miners, fuck! 

Edit, this is a very good summary of South Africa's post apartheid woes.

[Sylvana]

Pity. If I have understood correctly the ANC and Mandela were pretty much blackmailed into giving up their leftist economic agenda back in the '90s by the Western powers. It sounds like the current leadership has completely embraced the neo-liberal economics.

Blackmailed isn't quite right. Initially when they took power they used a power sharing deal with the white government to help ease the transition. However as they consolidated their power they started to really like the gifts of the western capitalist political shenanigans. Their friends and family started to benefit from political deals becoming exceptionally wealthy. As they started to gain more wealth the usual corruption wiggled its way in with money becoming the deciding factor in all political decisions. Sadly they are not quite as skilled at buying politicians and such as the Americans are, so the corruption is pretty obvious to see and blatant.
Unfortunately they all look out for each other, and so no one ever gets into trouble for corruption. Unless, they dont tow the party line. Anyone who actually does the job properly and refused to hand out lucrative government deals to friends and family dont stay in government long.