₦airaland Forum

Setting aside the emotional and historical weight of Apartheid for a moment, what has South Africa actually achieved over the last 30 years? If the white minority had remained in power, the country certainly wouldn't be where it is today. Had the country been partitioned, the differences in outcomes would be even more apparent.

That should be South Africans headache or

They are a nuclear power

SA foreign policy is active

Wait till they get a seat on the security council


Their presidents talk international, even aspirants like Malema already has a global audience

South Africa is strategically located


I learnt they get paid for not working too

Black people in Africa just want power, but know nothing about leadership

SOUTH AFRICA IS NOW A MEMBER OF BRICS. HE HAS STARTED PRACTISING DOMINEERING GOVERNANCE WITHOUT MERCY.

SOUTH AFRICA IS A PIONEER MEMBER OF BRICS. HE HAS STARTED PRACTISING DOMINEERING GOVERNANCE WITHOUT MERCY.

If your leaders are not doing well. Hold them responsible.

Black southy presidents did their best, na why una no Dey allow their embassy rest

SmartPolician:
Black people in Africa just want power, but know nothing about leadership

Gbam!

Zero leadership skill; they want the benefits of leadership alright - convoys, people standing up for you at events, paid ediots singing your praise so they can deserve their stipends.

But completely blind about strategic positioning to maximize their human resources; non-existent knowledge about attracting FDI - but will spend the country's resources gallivanting from one European country to another.

If their incompetence gets challenged, they start witch hunting, or blaming past administrations.

But black South African governments have actually fared better than the rest. They have home grown countries that have gone multinational - their economy has not gone to the dogs, compared to one country whose 1 unit was once equal to 1 pound.

SmartPolician:
Black people in Africa just want power, but know nothing about leadership

TYPICAL SELF HATER.

HERE IS THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ANC's ACHIEVEMENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA


AI Report

After 1994, South Africa re-entered global markets and saw sustained expansion.

Between 1994 and 2008, GDP growth averaged around 3–5% annually, peaking at over 5% in 2006–2007.

GDP nearly tripled in nominal dollar terms between 1994 and 2011.

The country avoided hyperinflation and large-scale economic collapse common in some post-colonial transitions.

Under Nelson Mandela and later Thabo Mbeki, macroeconomic stabilization became a priority.


2. Expansion of the Black Middle Class

A significant rise in the Black middle class occurred between 1994 and 2015.

Millions of Black South Africans entered formal employment, professional sectors, and home ownership.

Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies aimed to increase participation in ownership and management.

While inequality remains high, the racial composition of the middle and upper income groups shifted significantly compared to apartheid-era exclusion.


3. Massive Social Grant Expansion

In 1994, around 2–3 million people received social grants.

By the 2020s, over 18 million people received grants.

Programs include:

Child Support Grant

Old Age Pension

Disability Grant

These grants significantly reduced extreme poverty and improved nutrition and school attendance.


4. Poverty Reduction (Early Period)

Between 1994 and roughly 2011, extreme poverty declined significantly.

Access to income support and employment growth reduced the number of households living below food poverty lines.

Access to services (electricity, housing, water) dramatically improved living standards.

However, poverty rates later stagnated due to slow growth and high unemployment.


5. Housing Delivery (RDP Housing)

Over 3 million houses built since 1994.

Millions more gained formal housing access.

One of the largest state-led housing programs globally.

This addressed apartheid-era spatial exclusion, though urban planning challenges remain.


6. Electrification Expansion

In 1994, only about 36% of households had electricity access.

By the mid-2010s, access rose to over 80–85%.

Millions of rural homes were connected for the first time.

Despite later load-shedding crises under Eskom, initial electrification rollout was a major structural shift.


7. Access to Clean Water & Sanitation

Millions gained access to piped water after 1994.

Basic sanitation coverage expanded significantly.

Rural infrastructure saw major improvements compared to apartheid neglect.


8. Inflation Control & Fiscal Discipline (GEAR Era)

Under Thabo Mbeki:

Inflation brought under control.

Budget deficits reduced.

Public debt lowered in the 2000s.

South Africa achieved investment-grade credit ratings during the mid-2000s.

The Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) strategy emphasized fiscal responsibility and global integration.


9. Expansion of Higher Education


University enrollment more than doubled since 1994.

Significant increase in Black student participation.

Creation of new universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) expansion.

Examples:

University of Cape Town

University of the Witwatersrand


10. Financial System Stability

South Africa maintained one of the most advanced financial sectors in Africa.

The banking system remained stable through:

1998 emerging market crisis

2008 global financial crisis

The country avoided sovereign default.

The South African Reserve Bank maintained inflation targeting and currency management frameworks.


11. Infrastructure Investment (2000–2010)


Major projects included:

Gautrain rapid rail

King Shaka International Airport

Stadiums and transport upgrades for the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Port and logistics upgrades

Important Context (Balanced View)

While the ANC achieved substantial early economic progress, challenges also emerged:

Unemployment remained structurally high (often above 25%).

Inequality remains among the highest globally.

State capture scandals during Jacob Zuma weakened state institutions.

Growth slowed significantly after 2008.


Summary of Key Economic Achievements Since 1994

Sustained GDP growth (1994–2008)

Reduction in extreme poverty

Massive expansion of social grants

3+ million houses built

Electrification expanded from ~36% to over 80%

Clean water access expanded

Fiscal discipline & inflation control (2000s)

Financial system stability

Expansion of Black middle class

Major infrastructure rollout

- AI

SmartPolician:
Black people in Africa just want power, but know nothing about leadership

WITHOUT BLACK LEADERS YOU'LL BE A VILLAGE ILLITERATE TODAY.

NIGERIA'S LITERACY RATE AFTER 80 YEARS OF BRITISH RULE WAS 10%.

WITHIN 60 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE, IT'S 75%.

THE ONLY REASON YOU ARE NOT TRYING TO CHEW THAT PHONE AS A ''NEW TYPE OF HARD CORN'' IS BECAUSE BLACK LEADERS BUILT THE SCHOOLS THAT EDUCATED YOU WHERE THE WHITE RULERS YOU WORSHIP LOOTED YOUR LAND TO THE POINT OF $50 TRILLION, (according to AI calculations) AND LEFT YOUR GRANDPARENTS AS ILLITERATE VILLAGE PEASANTS.

WITHOUT BLACK LEADERS, YOU WOULD BE IN A VILLAGE HUT CHEWING KOLANUT NOW AFTER A HARD DAY OF TAPPING PALM WINE, OR HUNTING BUSH MEAT IN THE FOREST.

OKAY?

SO EVERY DAY YOU WAKE UP, INSTEAD OF HATING YOUR SKIN COLOUR, THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS THAT PEOPLE OF YOUR SKIN COLOUR CAME TO POWER IN YOUR COUNTRY, AFTER DECADES OF WHITE COLONIAL PLUNDER.

They've achieved apartheid and gwara gwara.