Progress in South Africa Undermined by Corruption and Maladministration, Says Ramaphosa

JOHANNESBURG – The progress in South Africa since 1994 – the growth of the black middle class, access to education and basic services, and a decline in poverty – has been undermined more recently by stagnant growth, flagging investment, maladministration and corruption, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a sober but uplifting speech today.

Addressing a conference on 25 years of democracy at the University of Johannesburg, Ramaphosa said South Africa was a vastly different place than in 1994. While much had been done to substantially reduce inequality and create a fairer, more just society, the government recognised that “current conditions militate against rapid progress in these areas”.

He said the country was “reaping the consequences, both good and not so good,” of the choices the ANC made when it came to power. While the economy was opened up, “there are instances where we failed to implement coherent policy or delayed doing so.”

“Once again, our economy is in a crisis. The optimism that characterised the early years of our democracy has been steadily eroded by disaffection and disillusionment.

“The pressures of urbanisation, uneven development, the contest for resources and widespread joblessness and poverty have contributed to an increase in community protests and has weakened social cohesion.

“Violence and crime continues to undermine the rights of citizens and their sense of personal security.

“Corruption has steadily eroded the state’s capacity to meet people’s needs, and is worsening a trust deficit between government and the citizenry.

“Local government, the coalface of service delivery, is debilitated by inefficiency, mismanagement and poor resource allocation and management.

“We find ourselves at a tipping point, where worsening economic conditions threaten to erode our hard-won gains.”

Ramaphosa said those declines needed to be stopped now, and reversed. For this reason, the government was focusing on its economic recovery and stimulus plan, on making the economy more inclusive to everyone in the country, and coordinating actions within and between governments departments, where “we have been found wanting.”