Bravo SA: We Can Do Even Better By Combating Inequality
By Peter Kimemia
We are on a well trodden path by now in expressing our congratulations to the Danny Jordan- headed Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the just concluded soccer World Cup spectacle, the State and indeed every South African and African who played host to soccer enthusiasts from across the oceans. South Africa, on behalf of Africa, debunked most of the rather primitive stereotypes that for long have been bandied around regarding our collective ability to deliver on positive initiatives away from our infamy for poor governance. Given resources and a chance to prove itself, Africa can do exceedingly well. The accolades being dished out are absolutely in order. South Africa delivered one of the most exciting World Cup tourneys in recent memory. The organisational performance was near-flawless and in spite of the minor air transport hitches, notably at King Shaka International towards the close of the showpiece, we scored quite highly all round. We wished we could deliver a warmer weather pattern, but eish….no one should begrudge us on things that God calls the shots over.
The criminals that attempted to spoil the party and ruin our reputation either through forcibly (sometimes even violently) ‘taxing’ tourists and locals alike or foment chaos through xenophobic attacks should hide their faces in shame alongside a section of the Western media that engaged in the recklessly hateful campaign calculated to create doubts over our ability to host the World Cup. As observed by Glenn Ashton, “The World Cup let us rediscover and share our common humanity and our Africanness in unimaginable ways.” Our boys from the six African countries also did us proud by putting up a brave fight although quite evidently we still have a lot to do in order to be at par with the rest of the teams from especially Europe and the Americas. Ghana, though, was exceptional and came within seconds of ushering in one of biggest parties across the continent. The unfairness of the fashion in which they were bundled out is, however, now water under the bridge and in matters football each country on the continent will now have to go back to the drawing board and ensure that our representation in Brazil in 2014 will be substantially better.
In real terms, according to the Government spokesperson, Themba Maseko, the 2010 FIFA World Cup pumped an estimated R93 billion into South Africa. Moreover, our successful hosting helped improve the image of South Africa globally and the spin-offs from this might include an increase in tourist numbers as well as Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). The fruition of these should result in the much needed increases in job opportunities, especially following the recent upsurge in unemployment occasioned by the global financial crisis.
However, even as we congratulate ourselves for a job largely well done, we must translate the resoluteness with which we worked to ensure a successful hosting into a firmer determination to overcome a myriad of challenges that bedevil our society. We must display a keener determination to deliver equitable development and reduce the severity of poverty on the majority of our people. This will in part be possible if we seal the loopholes through which much of the public revenue is leaking and ending up into private coffers. Corruption must cease to be a way of life in our society. Public officials in all spheres of government need to rededicate themselves to selfless service and be content with their earnings. Moral ‘speed governors’ must be applied to control the ruinous rat race that is sometimes mistaken for entrepreneurship. The latter is a noble undertaking whose concomitant need not include under-hand dealings and wanton rent-seeking exploits. The schism between the rich and the poor is widening. Equitable distribution of wealth is an imperative for our long-term social, economic and political stability.
As noted in another article in this issue, Buffalo City (East London), Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni (East Rand) are the most unequal cities in the world based on data gathered in a UN-Habitat survey of 109 countries from all regions of the world. This is indeed a most dubious distinction for which we should be all equally ashamed. Granted that we only emerged from institutionalised inequality just over 15 years ago, it is still a serious indictment that we appear not to have significantly dented the monumental wealth disparity that we inherited. It is actually embarrassing that in some cases, the severity of the inequality appears to have worsened over time. Our best efforts have clearly not yielded the desired results and government across the three spheres needs to toss out the arrogance of perpetually defending failed policies.
True, our economy has grown and pockets of our population have benefited. A substantial amount of resources has been expended on short-term relief in the form of grants to just over 12 million people (at the last count), but it’s neither enough nor sustainable to only assist people in plugging consumption gaps. The state has to come up with creative ways and credit facilities to enable more and more people to engage in productive ventures. Ultimately, if we have not been able to significantly beat back poverty, unemployment and inequality, we should not delude ourselves that we are developing. When these three elements become more severe rather than less, we have reasons to watch over our shoulders – and wearily too, for that matter.
We are on a well trodden path by now in expressing our congratulations to the Danny Jordan- headed Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the just concluded soccer World Cup spectacle, the State and indeed every South African and African who played host to soccer enthusiasts from across the oceans. South Africa, on behalf of Africa, debunked most of the rather primitive stereotypes that for long have been bandied around regarding our collective ability to deliver on positive initiatives away from our infamy for poor governance. Given resources and a chance to prove itself, Africa can do exceedingly well. The accolades being dished out are absolutely in order. South Africa delivered one of the most exciting World Cup tourneys in recent memory. The organisational performance was near-flawless and in spite of the minor air transport hitches, notably at King Shaka International towards the close of the showpiece, we scored quite highly all round. We wished we could deliver a warmer weather pattern, but eish….no one should begrudge us on things that God calls the shots over.
The criminals that attempted to spoil the party and ruin our reputation either through forcibly (sometimes even violently) ‘taxing’ tourists and locals alike or foment chaos through xenophobic attacks should hide their faces in shame alongside a section of the Western media that engaged in the recklessly hateful campaign calculated to create doubts over our ability to host the World Cup. As observed by Glenn Ashton, “The World Cup let us rediscover and share our common humanity and our Africanness in unimaginable ways.” Our boys from the six African countries also did us proud by putting up a brave fight although quite evidently we still have a lot to do in order to be at par with the rest of the teams from especially Europe and the Americas. Ghana, though, was exceptional and came within seconds of ushering in one of biggest parties across the continent. The unfairness of the fashion in which they were bundled out is, however, now water under the bridge and in matters football each country on the continent will now have to go back to the drawing board and ensure that our representation in Brazil in 2014 will be substantially better.
In real terms, according to the Government spokesperson, Themba Maseko, the 2010 FIFA World Cup pumped an estimated R93 billion into South Africa. Moreover, our successful hosting helped improve the image of South Africa globally and the spin-offs from this might include an increase in tourist numbers as well as Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). The fruition of these should result in the much needed increases in job opportunities, especially following the recent upsurge in unemployment occasioned by the global financial crisis.
However, even as we congratulate ourselves for a job largely well done, we must translate the resoluteness with which we worked to ensure a successful hosting into a firmer determination to overcome a myriad of challenges that bedevil our society. We must display a keener determination to deliver equitable development and reduce the severity of poverty on the majority of our people. This will in part be possible if we seal the loopholes through which much of the public revenue is leaking and ending up into private coffers. Corruption must cease to be a way of life in our society. Public officials in all spheres of government need to rededicate themselves to selfless service and be content with their earnings. Moral ‘speed governors’ must be applied to control the ruinous rat race that is sometimes mistaken for entrepreneurship. The latter is a noble undertaking whose concomitant need not include under-hand dealings and wanton rent-seeking exploits. The schism between the rich and the poor is widening. Equitable distribution of wealth is an imperative for our long-term social, economic and political stability.
As noted in another article in this issue, Buffalo City (East London), Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni (East Rand) are the most unequal cities in the world based on data gathered in a UN-Habitat survey of 109 countries from all regions of the world. This is indeed a most dubious distinction for which we should be all equally ashamed. Granted that we only emerged from institutionalised inequality just over 15 years ago, it is still a serious indictment that we appear not to have significantly dented the monumental wealth disparity that we inherited. It is actually embarrassing that in some cases, the severity of the inequality appears to have worsened over time. Our best efforts have clearly not yielded the desired results and government across the three spheres needs to toss out the arrogance of perpetually defending failed policies.
True, our economy has grown and pockets of our population have benefited. A substantial amount of resources has been expended on short-term relief in the form of grants to just over 12 million people (at the last count), but it’s neither enough nor sustainable to only assist people in plugging consumption gaps. The state has to come up with creative ways and credit facilities to enable more and more people to engage in productive ventures. Ultimately, if we have not been able to significantly beat back poverty, unemployment and inequality, we should not delude ourselves that we are developing. When these three elements become more severe rather than less, we have reasons to watch over our shoulders – and wearily too, for that matter.