South Africa:30 Years After
By Dr Francis Boateng Frimpong

South Africa has made significant progress in terms of political stability, economic growth, and social development over the last three decades after apartheid. The historic transition in 1994, led by Nelson Mandela, dismantled institutionalised racial segregation and established a democratic government grounded in principles of equality and human rights. Thirty years later, South Africa has faced numerous economic challenges that have impeded its development. High unemployment rates, particularly among the youth, remain a critical issue, with structural unemployment reflecting a skills mismatch in the labour market. Economic inequality persists, with wealth distribution heavily skewed, a legacy of apartheid that continues to favour the white minority. Poverty remains widespread, especially in rural areas and among black South Africans, highlighting the intertwined nature of unemployment and inequality. The empirical evidence suggests that contemporary neoliberal capitalism adopted post-apartheid has failed to produce sustainable economic development.