Education is key for South Africa’s black people
14 January 2021
The debate on income inequality rages on in South Africa. This debate is mostly in politics, media and academia. But much of the fixation on the subject, is on racial inequality – more specifically income inequality between the white population and the black population.
While many see income inequality between blacks and whites as the most or amongst the most important issues, I see poverty as more of an urgent matter that needs to be addressed. And I believe it must be addressed by both political leaders and ordinary citizens. Who earns what compared to who, should not be at the top of our priority list in my opinion. I think investing our energy in creating an environment full of opportunities for every racial group should be the major focus.
Focusing more on the fight against poverty will not imply that we do not acknowledge income inequality. Inequality of any kind – including racial income inequality between blacks and whites in South Africa – is real. Data shows that. According to Statistics South Africa’s 2019 report on South Africa’s inequality trends, whites earn about three times more than blacks. Black households have the highest unemployment and earn the lowest wage in the country.
These are facts we cannot dispute. But to whine, and not adopt policies that will create opportunities for blacks so they rise to the middle class status, won’t be helpful to our society. The way to try and address these income differences is not to take from white people and give to black people. Our efforts must be focused on uplifting the poor – most of whom are black. And education and skills development can be instrumental in making a positive impact in this regard.