Ten years on, Nelson Mandela's legacy hangs in the air near his old Soweto home, a poignant reminder of the progress yet unmade in South Africa, shares Prosper Nkosi. Njabulo Mngadi, hailing from Johannesburg, echoes the sentiment, calling for the resurgence of Mandela's spirit to drive further reforms.
The iconic figure, who fought tirelessly against apartheid for decades, spent 27 years in prison before leading his African National Congress (ANC) to South Africa's first democratic victory in 1994. Subsequently, the ANC has ascended to power in Johannesburg without interruption.
Mandela and de Klerk, the last white president of South Africa, jointly received the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for dismantling racial segregation. Internationally, Mandela championed the cause of a Palestinian state, as evidenced in the commemoration of his family when a Palestinian delegation, including the former Hamas health minister, paid their respects.
Grandson Mandla Mandela advocated for the Palestinian issue, driving home his grandfather's belief that it was a "great moral issue of our time." Former chairman of the F.W. de Klerk Foundation, Dave Steward, emphasized Mandela's legacy's enduring relevance, crediting his commitment to constitutional rule and justice for safeguarding South Africa's democracy.
South Africa's progress since Mandela's passing has been a complex blend of triumphs and challenges. While the economy has witnessed renewed investment and growth in the renewable energy sector, challenges such as inequality, corruption, and power outages persist. The next parliamentary elections, slated for 2024, could see ANC's dominance being challenged.
Further data highlights the following:
1. Continued Struggles with Inequality: - Despite attempts to alleviate inequality, deep-seated problems persist in South Africa, with high poverty and unemployment rates, particularly among the black community and rural areas.
2. Economic Reforms: - Various economic reforms have been initiated to promote business environment enhancement and job creation, including Operation Vulindlela, which focuses on structural changes.
3. Energy Transition: - South Africa's renewable energy sector has witnessed significant growth, with over 11,600 MW of capacity procured through the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
4. Governance Challenges: - Governance in South Africa has shown mixed results, with potential for improvement in renewable energy frameworks, but challenges such as regulatory delays and the dominance of state-owned utilities continue to stifle private sector growth.
5. Social Protection and Empowerment Programs: - The government continues to implement social welfare policies, including school feeding schemes and free basic services for the underprivileged, but widespread poverty persists.
6. Transformation and Empowerment: - Programs aiming to empower black and young South Africans in sectors like agriculture have been introduced, with the Transformation Fund providing support to black-owned enterprises.
7. Challenges and Opportunities: - Ongoing challenges like aging infrastructure and power outages pose risks, while opportunities for growth await in sectors like renewable energy and strategic public-private partnerships.
Despite the challenges, the legacy of Nelson Mandela remains a powerful force driving South Africa toward a more inclusive and equitable society.
