inequality - The African Mirror

Apr

2022

South Africa’s no-fee school system can’t undo inequality

A defining feature of South Africa is the level of inequality in almost all spheres of society. Nowhere is this more observable than in the schooling sector. It’s not unusual to find wealthy schools, comparable to the best anywhere in the world, within 5km of poor schools. Some blame for this inequality can be attributed to the lingering effects of racially biased funding that favoured white people during apartheid. But it does raise the question of why, after more than two and a half decades of democracy, poor children of South Africa continue to sit in overcrowded classrooms with crumbling…

Mar

2022

By The African Mirror

‘Lost generation’ feared as COVID school closures fuel inequality

EDUCATION

ANNIE BANERJI and HEDWIG ARINAITWE STANDING in front of India's Taj Mahal, tour guide Raju Usmani fears for his daughter's future. With COVID-19 decimating his income, he may have to pull her out of school just as she is catching up after nearly two years stuck at home. Areeba, 10, is among 1.6 billion children globally - more than 90% of all school students - who have been affected by pandemic school closures, which threaten to widen wealth inequalities both within and between countries. "We're running the risk of a lost generation," U.N. education expert Robert Jenkins told the Thomson…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

African researchers make headway in getting decisions made based on evidence

SCIENCE, TECH AND INNOVATION

THE COVID-19 pandemic has added to the challenges facing African countries, including poverty, inequality and unemployment. RUTH STEWART, Professor: Evidence-Informed Decision-Making, University of Johannesburg SIZIWE NGCWABE, Senior Manager: Operations and Research Associate, University of Johannesburg Solutions exist. But they must be based on the best available evidence. That allows governments and policymakers to ensure scarce resources are carefully, transparently allocated where they can do the most good. Around the world, there is a community working to develop and support mechanisms that increase the use of research in decision-making. This is what is called evidence-informed decision-making. The community works in many…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

South African policies go some way to tackling poverty and inequality. But more is needed

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

SOUTH Africa is one of the most unequal societies in the world. More than 50% of the population live in poverty. Despite notable gains in poverty reduction post-apartheid, poverty levels have remained consistently highest among women, black South Africans, people with disabilities, and those living in rural areas. SOPHIE PLAGERSON, Senior research fellow at the Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg The government has committed itself to addressing poverty, inequality and social exclusion – understood as a disadvantage by gender, race, disability or place. The mandate is laid out in the constitution and in the government’s National…