South Africa: the Struggle for Equality
Running Head: SOUTH AFRICA 1
South Africa: The Struggle for Equality
Martia S. McNeill
April 8, 2012
SOUTH AFRICA 2
South Africa: The Struggle for Equality The biggest challenge that has faced South Africa in the past, in the present, and in the foreseeable future continues to be racial and ethnic inequality. While numerous laws and policies have been passed to correct the problems of discrimination, inequality, and the resulting poverty, the implementation and interpretation of those laws is, yet, another matter. Implementation of equality has proven to be difficult because South Africa has a very long record of discrimination and stratification against blacks that is not easily diminished or forgotten and which has ongoing negative consequences (Jagwanth, 2000). Even though South Africa is post-apartheid, racial and ethnic inequality continues to exist to the detriment of non-whites (the majority) because its long history is difficult to overcome, social stratification is still unofficially in place, and educational policies are not truly race-blind. First, racial and ethnic inequality is difficult to overcome because its long history is deeply rooted in South Africa. South Africa, with its limited resources and many diverse groups, has been submerged in conflict for hundreds of years. South Africa, as it is known today, is the direct result of the conflict between its indigenous people and the European colonists. Early European ships traveling to and from India, sailing around the southern tip of Africa, were in need of a refreshing station. In 1652, at the Cape of Good Hope, the Dutch East India Company established that station and the colonists came to stay. Hottentots and Bushmen, the local indigenous people who were easily overpowered, were unable to fulfill the needs of the colonists. The colonists soon brought slaves from the African interior and more people arrived from the Dutch East Indies. In spite of the
South Africa: The Struggle for Equality
Martia S. McNeill
April 8, 2012
SOUTH AFRICA 2
South Africa: The Struggle for Equality The biggest challenge that has faced South Africa in the past, in the present, and in the foreseeable future continues to be racial and ethnic inequality. While numerous laws and policies have been passed to correct the problems of discrimination, inequality, and the resulting poverty, the implementation and interpretation of those laws is, yet, another matter. Implementation of equality has proven to be difficult because South Africa has a very long record of discrimination and stratification against blacks that is not easily diminished or forgotten and which has ongoing negative consequences (Jagwanth, 2000). Even though South Africa is post-apartheid, racial and ethnic inequality continues to exist to the detriment of non-whites (the majority) because its long history is difficult to overcome, social stratification is still unofficially in place, and educational policies are not truly race-blind. First, racial and ethnic inequality is difficult to overcome because its long history is deeply rooted in South Africa. South Africa, with its limited resources and many diverse groups, has been submerged in conflict for hundreds of years. South Africa, as it is known today, is the direct result of the conflict between its indigenous people and the European colonists. Early European ships traveling to and from India, sailing around the southern tip of Africa, were in need of a refreshing station. In 1652, at the Cape of Good Hope, the Dutch East India Company established that station and the colonists came to stay. Hottentots and Bushmen, the local indigenous people who were easily overpowered, were unable to fulfill the needs of the colonists. The colonists soon brought slaves from the African interior and more people arrived from the Dutch East Indies. In spite of the
References: Seeking, J. & Nattrass, N. (2005). Class, Race, and Inequality in South Africa. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com/lib/ashford/docDetail.action Van der berg, S. (2002). Education, poverty and inequality in South Africa. Centre for the Study of African Economies on Economic Growth and Poverty in Africa,