South Africa is known for its beautiful landscapes, iconic landmark Table Mountain, rich cultural diversity, great food, renowned wines, political history, and revered figure, Nelson Mandela. However, it also harbours a darker history—one marked by racial segregation and disenfranchisement: apartheid.

Anti-apartheid protest in Cape Town, March 30, 1960. *AP Photo*

Apartheid’s Legacy

Although post-apartheid South Africa has made strides in many ways, its legacy lingers on almost 30 years later.

The structure of the apartheid system is still very much a reality in the current socio-economic landscape of South Africa, evident in the distribution of its citizens based on racial colour lines—mainly white, black, coloured, and Indian/Asian.

It's important to acknowledge that most impoverished communities are home to the previously disadvantaged, who primarily reside in “townships”, the outskirts of urban areas, and rural settings and face unique challenges.

These communities still struggle to access essential resources, including clean water and sanitation, quality education, adequate healthcare, food, and employment.

The transition into democracy in 1994 meant that those oppressed were free and had access to equal rights; it was an exciting time full of promise and changes to come. But the uncomfortable truth is that although plenty has changed for the better since then, many still have not benefited, and change has been slow.

Due to apartheid’s imprint and current poor service delivery in these impoverished communities, the situation remains much the same as it did during the apartheid era.

Lasting Impacts on South Africa

So, how does the lingering effect of apartheid’s oppressive laws affect many South Africans and impoverished communities like Cambridge Village today?

Unemployment and Education

In many rural and poor areas of South Africa, unemployment rates are very high.

For instance, in Cambridge Village, located in the Eastern Cape, the unemployment rate is an alarming 97%. Women, the youth, and those with lower-level skills are at the top of the unemployment list.

This is the lingering effect of the substandard education system known as Bantu Education implemented by the apartheid government, by design intended for schools in black communities to be severely inferior.

Despite the end of apartheid, the Bantu Education system and the current government’s inability to remedy the situation continue to affect the educational landscape, with many schools in black communities struggling with a lack of resources and adequate infrastructure.

The results are visible with the educational divide across racial lines and socio-economic statuses in South Africa.

Although statistics show there has been an increase in those completing secondary education over the years, most still do not manage to further their education at a tertiary level and remain at high risk of unemployment, thus perpetuating the cycle of poverty in these communities.

Substance Abuse

With a lack of prospects and opportunities, many individuals turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism. Unfortunately, this leads to addiction and gender-based violence (GBV) in many cases.

Addiction contributes significantly to the cycle of poverty as individuals not only seek to satisfy their addiction but also struggle to support themselves and their families. The quick fix or easy way out often involves turning to crime.

It is well-documented that communities experiencing high unemployment rates tend to have the highest crime rates in the country.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

In South Africa, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is exasperated by economic inequality, substance abuse, traditional patriarchal cultures, and religious practices.

GBV remains one of the country's biggest challenges.

The effects of GBV perpetuate socio-economic imbalance for women, resulting in limited access to resources and economic opportunities. Many women are compelled to remain in abusive and violent environments as dependents of their abusers.

GBV impacts not only women but also children. The consequences of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse are long-lasting for both the victim and those who witness the abuse. In some cases, this cycle becomes generational.

Women endure the harshest effects of unemployment, poor education, economic inequality, and GBV at the hands of their loved ones.

Wealth Gap

The apartheid era was designed to benefit white people in all aspects, and this advantage remains primarily unchanged.

White South Africans make up about 8% of the population and are the minority; however, they own the majority of the wealth in the country.

The significant wealth gap between races highlights the pronounced divide along racial lines, directly impacting access to quality housing, education, healthcare, opportunities, and overall quality of life.

Government

The post-apartheid government inherited many structural problems. It has tried to make changes, such as implementing welfare grants to help support and alleviate struggles, but it has not been enough.

Promises to improve education, unemployment, crime, and GBV have not been fulfilled and continue to be ongoing issues.

Many African countries that have been colonised and regained power find themselves with an issue of corruption, and South Africa is no different. Corruption is crippling to the most vulnerable members of society as funds that should be used to improve healthcare, schools, and essential service delivery are not being used to their full potential.

Transforming South Africa’s Narrative

These are only some significant challenges facing communities like Cambridge Village in post-apartheid South Africa.

These issues can be devastating, as their impact is complex, affecting not only one's physical environment and mental well-being but also their self-esteem, self-determination, and self-worth.

Some individuals may find a way to escape these challenging environments, but the journey towards change becomes tough without sufficient support and opportunities. Those who can’t leave continue to face the same daily struggles, often with little to no assistance from the government.

Apartheid may be in the past, but it still impacts the present.

However, with the necessary resources for empowerment and education, the cycle can be broken, and hardships can be avoided. This potential for change is a beacon of hope in these communities.

That's why, at The Dandelion Philosophy, we embrace the spirit of Ubuntu, acknowledging the past's impact on the present. We also use Afrocentric approaches to facilitate community healing through our dedicated Psychosocial Support Programme.

Our approach empowers communities through skills development and education to reduce social and economic inequalities. We address deep-rooted issues to promote systemic change and shape a better future for many South Africans.

If you're passionate about reshaping the narrative of South Africa's past and want to contribute to our efforts, we are deeply grateful for your support. You can do so by donating through our website. Additionally, you can amplify our impact by spreading the word about our work.

Let's make a difference and create a brighter future for all South Africans.

Socio-Economic Challenges in Post-Apartheid South Africa

Apartheid’s Legacy