Mandela’s Legacy Betrayed

Policy Study

South Africa after Mandela’s death and before this year’s election

While the world mourned Nelson Mandela and while in many speeches and articles his achievements and personality were praised, many commentators from overseas but also in the local press point out that the present South African leadership is not living up to Mandela’s ideals and has betrayed his legacy.

With unions considering withdrawal from the tripartite alliance, there is potential for a significant watershed in the post-apartheid history of South Africa. Gross inequalities that still exist but Mandela’s legacy still lives on in keeping South African society from falling apart. This piece analyses the potential for change in the political landscape in the forseeable future.