By Christiana Ioannou
South Africa, officially known as the Republic of South Africa, in the southern part of Africa with over 59 million people, is the world’s 23rd most populous nation.
This article will discuss the key factors and reasons why unemployment and inequality are rising daily in South Africa and how the current riots affect the situation badly.
South Africa is an underdeveloped country. Hence, unemployment, poverty, and inequality are major concerning issues here. These things have a direct impact on the nation’s economy.
Unemployment and poverty
The main reason behind poverty is the lesser job opportunities and unequal distribution of economic growth among its people. The unemployment rate has increased over the last few years as people do not even have equal access to opportunities.
Inequality also leads to a significant number of unemployed people. It can be seen in many ways, including inequality among:
- Different genders.
- Education.
- Rural and urban tenants.
- People from different races.
- Regional differences.
Similarly, with a growing population, the economy has not created enough job opportunities for the unemployed and newcomers in the labour market. As a result, South Africa’s unemployment rates are higher than other regional economies, with 50% of its youth unemployed.
It is also noticed that the educational quality is not too good here.
How the riots and looting are resulting in economic fall and more discrimination?
On the 8th of July 2021, when the former president and freedom fighter of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, was arrested and jailed, looting and violence started nationwide.
The BBC report says that more than 75 people from two provinces were found dead on that day. Looting affected the economy adversely.
The country’s economic powerhouse, including many official buildings such as KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, were looted and burned by the rioters.
ATMs, malls, restaurants, stores, etc., were looted, resulting in a heavy economic fall and unemployment as the workers in these sectors (specifically the private ones) have lost their job.
It is being said that the violence is mainly because of peoples’ anger at the inequality that has been happening for the last 27 years.
The country’s economic powerhouse, including many official buildings such as KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, were looted and burned by the rioters.
ATMs, malls, restaurants, stores, etc., were looted, resulting in a heavy economic fall and unemployment as the workers in these sectors (specifically the private ones) have lost their job.
It is being said that the violence is mainly because of peoples’ anger at the inequality that has been happening for the last 27 years.
An insight into how all this is causing more discrimination.
- The leading cause of discrimination in South Africa is racism, especially for the Indian communities living in South Africa. This practice has been prevalent for years, but the current violence proved brutal for people of Indian origin.
- Indian communities in southern Africa are facing constant racial abuse on social media platforms too.
- The rioters are mainly pointing to the localities with more Indian-originated populations and destroying their property, which will lead to a higher poverty rate among the Indian community living there.
Why are Indians being targeted for the attack?
The former president Jacob Zuma was associated with the Gupta brothers, and they are said to have a role in corruption.
Hence the rioters are using this thing as an excuse to destroy Indian businesses. They say that Jacob Zuma sold their country to IMC.
As a result of all this, Indian communities have to arm themselves with guns to protect themselves against violence.
Nothing else can be said yet, as the violence is at its peak and hard to stop, but everyone hopes for peace.