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Recent developments in both South Africa and the US show that affirmative action models in their current forms are facing an existential crisis that calls for introspection and healthy debate, writes Khaya Sithole.
Over the past week, the principles and practices of affirmative action have been under judicial, rhetorical and political scrutiny in the US and South Africa. Both countries share an unfortunate history of marginalising and subjugating black people under the methods of slavery, colonialism and apartheid discrimination. The effects of the practices – even though they have officially been abolished – continue to linger over the social, political and economic profiles of both nations in varying measures.
According to the Brookings Institute, in the US, the median wealth of black people per household is measured at 10% of the median wealth of white Americans. Some 400 of the richest Americans hold more wealth than all 10 million black households – combined (Brookings Institute). This translates to black households collectively owning 3% of all household wealth, compared to the 3.5% owned by just 400 wealthiest Americans.
