The birth of the new South Africa brought hope not only for South Africans, but also for sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa is committed to reconciliation and creating a more equal society. While much has been done on the political front to dismantle inequalities, the country faces formidable challenges in redressing the entrenched impacts of apartheid. These challenges are virtually without precedent. South Africa’s future depends critically on how-and how fast it meets them. Specifically, the government must now transform the political miracle into visible economic results, as the euphoria of political change gives way to impatience for tangible improvement in people’s lives.
