EFF leader Julius Malema led a land expropriation march to the Johann Rupert-owned company Remgro in Stellenbosch to hand over their memorandum of demands on April 7, 2022. At the core of South Africa’s human rights crisis lies economic inequality, a legacy of colonialism and apartheid, says the writer.
Image: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency (ANA)
Sixolisi Gcilishe
South Africa, a nation celebrated for its resilience and historic struggle for equality, continues to face systemic human rights violations that undermine the dignity and prosperity of its people under the current government.
Despite the promises of democracy and constitutional guarantees of equality, justice, and freedom, millions of South Africans endure economic inequality, systemic neglect, and institutional failure. As the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), we remain steadfast in our commitment to addressing these injustices, guided by our policies and unwavering advocacy for restorative justice and equitable development.
At the core of South Africa’s human rights crisis lies economic inequality, a legacy of colonialism and apartheid. Land dispossession remains a critical issue, with many Black South Africans still denied access to their ancestral lands.
Land is not merely an economic asset; it is a source of identity, dignity, and livelihood. The EFF’s manifesto underscores the importance of land reform as a cornerstone of economic justice.
However, the ANC government’s failure to implement meaningful and equitable land reform over the past 30 years has perpetuated historical injustices and entrenched economic disparities.
The right to property, as enshrined in international human rights law, must be balanced with the need for restorative justice. Yet, South Africa’s land reform efforts have been marred by inefficiency, corruption, and a lack of political will. This has left countless citizens without access to land, which is essential for housing, agriculture, and economic empowerment.
The EFF continues to advocate for the expropriation of land without compensation as a necessary step toward rectifying these injustices and ensuring that land is redistributed to those who have been historically dispossessed.
The government’s failure to provide essential services such as healthcare, education, housing, and clean water constitutes a blatant violation of the right to a dignified life. These services are not luxuries; they are fundamental human rights essential for survival and development.
Yet, access to these services remains deeply unequal, with rural and township communities disproportionately affected. The public healthcare system, for instance, is plagued by underfunding, staff shortages, and inadequate infrastructure.
Rural areas are particularly underserved, with many clinics lacking basic medical supplies and equipment. The EFF has consistently demonstrated that clinics can operate on a 24-hour basis, alleviating pressure on communities in desperate need of medical care.
However, the government has failed to implement this policy nationwide, further exacerbating the healthcare crisis.
Similarly, the education system is characterised by stark inequalities. Many rural and township schools are underfunded, understaffed, and ill-equipped to provide quality education. This unequal access perpetuates cycles of poverty and denies millions of children the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Education is not only a basic human right but also a pathway to economic empowerment and social mobility. The EFF remains the only party relentlessly pursuing free higher education, despite contrasting interests within the Government of National Unity (GNU).
South Africa’s high unemployment rate, particularly among young Black people, is a national crisis that demands urgent attention. The government has failed to create sufficient job opportunities or develop policies that adequately address the needs of the unemployed.
Unemployment and poverty are not just economic issues; they are human rights issues. The deepening poverty faced by many South Africans undermines their ability to access basic necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare.
The EFF has consistently highlighted the government’s empty promises of job creation in a shrinking economy. Without meaningful intervention, the cycle of poverty and unemployment will continue to erode the dignity and rights of millions.
Corruption, wasteful expenditure, and mismanagement of state resources are not merely governance failures—they are human rights violations. These practices divert resources away from essential services and development programs, directly harming the nation’s development and undermining citizens’ rights to prosper and live in dignity.
The government’s failure to hold corrupt officials accountable further erodes public trust and perpetuates a culture of impunity. This lack of accountability undermines the rule of law and violates the right to fair and equal treatment under the law.
It also exacerbates inequality, as the benefits of public resources are often siphoned off by a privileged few, while the majority suffer the consequences. The EFF remains committed to combating corruption and ensuring that state resources are used to uplift all South Africans.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive human rights violation that continues to plague South Africa.
Despite widespread public outcry, the government has not done enough to ensure the safety and dignity of women. GBV is not just a criminal issue; it is a violation of the fundamental human rights to life, security, and freedom from violence. Effective measures to address GBV must include comprehensive legal reforms, increased funding for support services, and a commitment to changing societal attitudes that perpetuate violence against women.
The justice system is similarly plagued by delays in trials, lack of access to legal services, and a failure to hold corrupt officials accountable. These failures undermine the right to fair and equal treatment under the law and erode public confidence in the justice system. Access to justice is a fundamental human right, yet many South Africans are denied this right due to systemic barriers such as poverty, discrimination, and inefficiency. The human rights violations outlined above are interconnected manifestations of systemic inequality and governance failures. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive and inclusive approach that prioritizes the rights and dignity of all South Africans.
The government must take immediate action to address economic inequality, provide essential services, create job opportunities, and combat corruption. It must also prioritize the rights of women and marginalized groups, reform the justice system, and ensure equal access to education, healthcare, and other basic services.
As the EFF, we will continue to hold the government accountable and demand that they act in accordance with our constitutional obligations to promote the rights of its citizens.
For us to succeed we need civil society and all progressive South Africans that want to see reform, land redistribution without compensation and economic freedom in our lifetime, to hold government accountable.
The struggle for human rights is a struggle for dignity, equality, and justice. It is a struggle we should all take up.
* Sixolisi Gcilishe is a Member of Parliament for the Economic Freedom Fighters.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.
