Differences in Afica Apartheid vs Post Apartheid - Essay Example

Differences in Africa between the Apartheid and Post Apartheid Periods Already in 2008, South Africa (SA) was nothinglike the “rainbow nation” Nelson Mandela hoped to see on his inauguration day (Bearak). Instead of being a harmonious nation, SA has turned into a nightmare for many of its citizens. Soaring inequality and violence are remnants of the still lingering apartheid system present in SA. Inequality and poverty soar across the country. Crime rates are among the highest on the continent (Bearak).

Despite the fact that South Africa is a democracy, the people distrust the police and the government (Bearak). The government allegedly cooperates with criminals (Bearak). The non – black minorities believe that SA is going to turn into Zimbabwe, where foreigners and minorities were exiled and their property confiscated by the government (Bearak). Despite the fact that absolute incomes of the poor have increased, many fear that SA might turn into another Rwanda due to high levels of crime (Bearak).

However, the same fears existed during apartheid: “Not so long ago, people feared that the end of apartheid would set off civil war and a blood bath” (Bearak). Inequalities existed then as well: though blacks formed the majority, they owned in 1974 only 13.7% of the total land (UNESCO 36). Non – whites were supposed to support expansion of the white power and economic welfare. The former had to be mobile, cheap and thus uneducated, without political rights to complain or try to change the status quo (UNESCO 44).

Though apartheid no longer exists in SA, its remnants are felt in the society. The blacks are still poor, and the poor are increasingly violent. In turn, the whites flee the country, fearing for their lives. Segregation has not been eliminated in practice, as inequalities and crime eliminated some progress made by Nelson Mandela and his contemporaries. Works cited Bearak, Barry. “Post-Apartheid South Africa Enters Anxious Era.” The New York Times, 5 Oct. 2008. Web. 23 Oct. 2012. UNESCO.

Racism and Apartheid in Southern Africa: South Africa and Namibia. Paris: The UNESCO Press, 1974. Print.