World Day of Social Justice

This morning, I combined two passions: running and tackling South Africa’s challenges. My running partner argued for removing controls and letting markets drive growth - "A rising tide lifts all boats." But does it?

Reality shows otherwise. Over the decades, the gap between the richest and the poorest has widened dramatically. Growth alone doesn’t ensure shared prosperity. The idea that meritocracy offers equal opportunity is equally flawed - as Daniel Markovits points out in his powerful book, The Meritocracy Trap: “Whatever its original purposes and early triumphs, meritocracy now concentrates advantage and sustains toxic inequalities. Meritocracy - formerly benevolent and just - has become what it was invented to combat: a mechanism for the concentration and dynastic transmission of wealth and privilege across generations.”

Joseph Stiglitz reminds us: “Inequality is not inevitable; it is a choice we make with the rules we create.” Socially just rules, policies, and structures are essential, but their impact is limited if not combined with socially just implementation - my experience is that bias so often seeps in, ironically reinforcing disparities.

The difficulty for those in positions of power is truly understanding what it means to be treated as less than - a reality that, over time, results in a poverty of being. The social psychology of inequality is frequently overlooked. Yet, its consequences affect us all. When vast segments of our society are unable to reach their full potential due to systemic barriers, our collective progress as a nation is stunted.

True justice isn't just economic; it’s about restoring dignity. I have found inspiration in South Africa’s National Development Plan, aiming to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. It offers a vision beyond policy - combining economic progress with unity, dignity, and the igniting of human potential. This quote is deeply inspiring and challenging to me:

"We have created a home where everybody feels free yet connected to others, where everyone embraces their full potential. We are proud to be a community that cares. We are a people who have come together extraordinarily to remake society. We live the rainbow."

Let’s reflect: Are we playing our part in the implementation of this? Are we fostering genuine opportunities and dignity, or just illusions of them?