inequality

The United Nations (UN) secretary-general, Ban Ki moon, says he is concerned about the millions of Africans still living in poverty, despite the continent recording positive growth in the last decade.

Currently Africa is home to six of the world's 10 fastest growing economies and the continent's economy has been growing at an average of five percent per annum over the last decade despite the global economic downturn.

The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has dismissed claims by former president, FW De Klerk, that the party is responsible for the widening inequality gap in the country.

The party’s provincial secretary, Sihle Zikalala, points out that, "The ANC...views De Klerk's comments as nothing more than a red herring to deflect attention from the shocking figures which were released by Stats SA [Statistics South Africa] as part of Census 2011 and which showed that white South Africans are still way better off economically than their fellow black compatriots."

According to Census 2011, incomes of black South African households have surged 169 percent in a decade, but whites still take home six times more money 18 years into all-race democracy.

Released by Statistics South Africa, the census, which puts the population at 51.8 million people, an increase of 6 950 782 million since the 2001 count, also found that the household incomes are more than doubled in the last 10 years.

The report further states that, "Black African-headed households were found to have an average annual income of R60 613 in 2011."

According to the Children’s Institute, rising inequality would hit South African children hard if policy-makers did nothing to close the income gap.

In its new report - the South African Child Gauge 2012 - the organisation notes that while child poverty is decreasing, income inequality is rising.

CI researcher, Katharine Hall, warns that this will have devastating effects on children's survival, development, and life trajectories. She adds that, “It also means that high rates of inequality are likely to persist into the next generation."

South African women still do not enjoy equality with men, although the situation is slowly improving, according to a study compiled by Mastercard Worldwide.

In a press statement, Mastercard Worldwide president, Philip Panaino, states that "While there are still significant inequalities between men and women, it is encouraging to see that the overall index score has improved year-on-year since 2010, signifying increasing socio-economic equality between men and women."

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe says the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) must work on a social contract to address growing poverty and inequality in South Africa.

Motlanthe points out that, “Now is the time to begin laying the basis for a social contract for our labour relations and our labour market that will contribute to achieving a more equitable and inclusive form of economic growth.”

According to the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation’s South African Reconciliation Barometer 2011, income inequality keeps South Africans more divided than race.

About 32 percent of those surveyed believe it is the most divisive issue, compared to 20 percent who believe race divided the country.

Researchers polled 3 500 people for survey, and also found that about 22 percent believe political party affiliations are more divisive than race.

A NGO has warned that Africa’s pace of growth is threatened by rising inequality and marginalisation.

In its latest report, Africa Progress Panel, warns that failure to generate equitable growth could result in a demographic disaster marked by rising levels of youth unemployment, social dislocation, and hunger.