Zuma's Own Goal: Losing South Africa's 'War on Poverty'

This collection of original essays provides an in depth look at how South Africa s government is tackling profound challenges including economic policy, AIDS, social security, housing, basic services and education and how society reacts. Leading analysts show how missed opportunities during Thabo Mbeki s 1999 2008 administration can be addressed by Jacob Zuma s. But so far, the transition has witnessed continuity not change. The book provides not only trenchant critiques of inherited poverty fighting strategies imposed through neoliberal orthodoxy, including the two economies narrative and claims of a developmental state in the making. It also suggests new approaches that make more sense. In the wake of a political leadership substitution albeit a feint left, pass right (as did Zuma, the great midfield general, during Robben Island soccer games) there is once again a vibrant debate regarding alternatives. One reason is the intense community and labour protest that arose over the past decade. Social mobilisation is not likely to fade in the immediate future, whether via unprecedented numbers of municipal uprisings, labour strikes or social movement activism. However, there are distinct problems with each type of bottom up challenge. Sober reflection about the limits of social agency is required for the period ahead, given the experiences since civil society opposition emerged ten years ago. Chapter authors include Gillian Hart, Ben Fine, Andries du Toit, Greg Ruiters,PrishaniNaidoo, Franco Barchiesi, Fred Hendricks, LungisileNtsebeza,EnverMotala, SalimVally, Carol Anne Spreen, Jackie Cock, Hein Marais,Mark Heywood, Mary Galvin, Lenny Gentle, Trevor Ngwane and James Ferguson.