Development economist and Oxfam South Africa board chair Phelisa Nkomo has criticized the South African government for failing to meet its constitutional obligation to create an equitable society where all citizens have equal access to opportunities.
Nkomo’s remarks came during a televised interview following the conclusion of the two-day National Dialogue, which aimed to foster unity and tackle poverty and inequality. However, she argued that deep structural issues—including unemployment, crime, and gender-based violence—highlight the government’s inability to deliver on its promises.
Broken Society, Broken Trust
Nkomo described South Africa as a nation in crisis, where social cohesion has deteriorated. She pointed to rising crime, extortion, and gender-based violence as symptoms of a society where constitutional values have not taken root.
“The failure of the constitution to meet its obligation of building an equitable society means people are turning against each other,” she said. “When communities extort money from one another for protection, that’s a sign of a broken social contract.”
Cost of Dialogue vs. Economic Priorities
Amid public concerns over the cost of the National Dialogue, Nkomo acknowledged the expense but argued that South Africa must pay a “premium for conversation” given its crises. However, she criticized the centralized approach, suggesting that digital platforms could have made participation more inclusive and cost-effective.
“The logistics of this dialogue show we speak about digitization but don’t implement it,” she said.
Unemployment and Crime: A Vicious Cycle
With unemployment at a staggering 32.9%, Nkomo emphasized that crime is fundamentally an economic issue. Petty theft and violent crimes, she argued, are driven by desperation in a stagnant economy.
To address this, she called for urgent economic reforms:
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Massive infrastructure investment to stimulate job creation.
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Easier access to public procurement for small businesses, particularly those owned by women and youth.
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Stronger local governance, citing that over 60% of municipal councillors lack post-matric qualifications, hindering service delivery.
Labor Unions and Policy Legitimacy
While some opposition parties boycotted the dialogue, Nkomo insisted that public support for its outcomes would determine its legitimacy. She urged organized labor to shift from mere advocacy to active participation in economic policy design, given their dwindling membership due to job losses.
Measuring Success: Growth and Social Cohesion
When asked how to gauge the dialogue’s success in five years, Nkomo pointed to two key metrics:
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Economic growth translating into job creation.
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South Africans valuing human rights and engaging in meaningful social cohesion.
Final Warning
Nkomo echoed Deputy Minister Sibiya’s warning that without decisive action, South Africa risks further instability. “Citizens don’t want more talks,” she said. “They want to see change on Monday morning.”
As the National Dialogue transitions to provincial and sectoral discussions, the pressure is on the government to prove it can move from rhetoric to real reform.