South Africans living in poverty have faced some of their most challenging circumstances in light of record unemployment, Covid-19 lockdown and diminishing incomes. Meanwhile, the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma is believed to have sparked the rampant looting and violent scenes that have played out in the past few days. At what point does inequality pose a threat to stability, and will this crisis prompt the government to ensure that poverty is addressed as a matter of urgency? Will we ever achieve a decent standard of living in South Africa?
SPII Director, Isobel Frye, weighs in on these issues.