The challenges of reconciliation in South Africa and the poverty connection

Abstract

South Africa comes from a very dark and painful past that was characterised by gross human rights violations. These gross human rights violations were primarily committed by the then government of the National Party, aided by those who identified with its goals. These violations took the form of the unequal distribution of economic opportunities in favour of white people, and the gross denial of human rights to those who opposed the draconian policies. It must be borne in mind that these policies were not just ad hoc or inferred; rather, they were entrenched in the legal system and enforced by the law.