By Mandisi Majavu - The Conversation
One of the sources of social discontent in post-apartheid South Africa is the legacy of white racism. This toxic legacy is evident in racialised poverty and inequality. It is a historical fact that the economic prosperity of whites in South Africa is based on the racist exploitation and impoverishment of blacks.
The long history of racism enabled white South Africans to enjoy
one of the highest standards of living in the world by the 1970s. In his new
book, titled Can We Unlearn Racism? , Jacob R Boersema, a New York University
academic, shows that by the 21st century white South Africans' “lifetime
work-related earnings on average are four times higher than for Africans”.
Add to this corruption , rampant crime , frightening levels of gender based violence and failing political institutions : the outcome is a social horror show that produces misery for millions of black people. This is what former president Thabo Mbeki was referring to in his recent scathing critique of the governing African National Congress (ANC).
