South Africa celebrated Freedom Day — the date of the country’s first democratic election and the end of formal apartheid 22 years ago — on April 27.
But in the past week, two official reports indicated that many Black South Africans are still battling to take up the opportunities created by the advent of democracy — while racism continues to hamper the efforts of those committed to building a united nation.
And, government’s efforts to take a harder line against those perceived to be not doing enough to promote change are provoking racists.
Neeshan Bolton is the executive director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, which works towards deepening nonracialism in South Africa. It is named after the South African struggle veteran who was a close compatriot of Nelson Mandela.
Speaking to Gulf News, he said race relations in South Africa have gone backwards in recent years. He points out that according to some research, South Africans of different races socialise together — and trust each other — less. And, this is likely to get worse ahead of local government elections, scheduled for August this year, when black poverty and white wealth in South Africa will be highlighted on the campaign trial in very simplistic, populist ways.
His observations come shortly after the latest report looking at the transformation of sport in the country found that not enough had been done to create opportunities for black players; while another found that the top management in corporates remained overwhelmingly white and male.
The South African rugby, cricket, netball and athletics teams might not get to benefit from home-ground advantage, after their national sports federations had their right to host international tournaments withdrawn by the minister of sport. The minister, Fikile Mbalula, made the announcement after receiving a report on the Transformation in Sports for 2014 to 2015 — which reflects the progress the codes had made in creating opportunities for black players in their teams — to make the squads more representative of the demographics of the country.
“I have resolved to revoke [their] privilege to host and bid for major and mega international tournaments in the Republic of South Africa as a consequence of [them] not meeting their own set transformation targets,” said the minister. He indicated he would review the decision in the coming year, depending on the outcome of the next report.
For now, the sports federations have indicated that they understand the minister’s reasons for taking the decision and that they will engage with him on a way forward. In the end, it is hard for them to argue when the make-up of some of the teams are so far out of kilter with the demographics of the country despite their stated commitment to transformation.
Opposition political parties and others have not been so understanding — accusing the minister of high-handed action and threatening to take the matter up to South Africa’s courts and with international sports governing bodies.
There was also an outburst of racist bile on social media, where language was used not openly heard in public since the end of apartheid. The South African Human Rights Commission confirmed on Tuesday that it was investigating at least one complaint of racism because of comments made about the sports minister’s decision.
However, it is not only sporting federations that are struggling to make their institutions reflective of the people of South Africa. Recently, the Commission for Employment Equity — which monitors the transformation in the workplace — found that 68.9 per cent of top management in corporate South Africa was white, compared to 14.3 per cent African. These are the headline figures, but analysis of other levels of the workforce, produced far from satisfying results. Labour minister Mildred Oliphant has warned South African corporations that they have six months to comply with employment equity plans — or government would penalise them.
Organisations representing black businesses and professionals have often said that companies are not committed to transformation or have a culture that works against their members and prevents them from advancing through the ranks. They have long asked for the government to do more to ensure companies comply with employment equity targets.
The chief executive of the South African Institute of Race Relations, Frans Cronje, acknowledges that there is a myriad of reasons why so long after the end of apartheid, business, sport and other institutions are failing to reach their transformation targets. However, he highlighted weaknesses in the education system as one of the key problems.
Speaking to Gulf News, he said the majority of predominately black schools suffered from a shortage of sports amenities. “How can you be expected to perform at the highest level if you have not had the opportunity to pick up a bat or ball?” he asked.
The same pretty much applies to business, Cronje added. Despite South Africa investing heavily in education, the percentage of black school students who complete their secondary education and achieve tertiary qualifications is still relatively low compared to whites. The end result — for both sport and business — is increased pressure for transformation at the top of the system, despite not enough grassroots development to support the need.
However, it has been pointed out that even when black players make it through grassroots development programmes, they still find it hard to secure regular places in squads.
Similarly, according to some research, black graduates from tertiary institutions are more likely to struggle to find jobs, than their white counterparts. Bolton points out that part of the problem is that legislation designed to ensure transformation is “ignored or not adequately enforced”. He backs the minister’s efforts to push institutions to transform.
However, it would not be fair to in any way underestimate the significance of South Africa’s transition since the first Freedom Day — despite persistent social and economic problems. And the work continues.
The Kathrada Foundation is helping set up the Anti-Racism Network, designed to get South Africans to denounce racism, wherever they confront it. They are also supporting government’s programme of public consultation on a national action plan against racism and xenophobia. “If we put in place the right policies and a broad-based movement to support them, we will be able to tackle racism,” said Bolton.
