SOUTH AFRICA. THE MOST UNEQUAL SOCIETY IN THE WORLD In a briefing of parliament on Friday, economics professor at UCT Haroon Bhorat, said that Souh Africa has now overtaken Brazil as the country with the largest gap between rich and poor. According to South Africa’s Gini coefficient index, we are now officially ‘the most unequal society in the world.

Yummie has often stated that big business simply passes the effects of the global recession and economic crises on to the poor.

As if to confirm this, sales of corporate hospitality packages for the 2010 Soccer World Cup is surpassing all expectations.
To date, more packages have been sold than those purchased in the corresponding period leading up to the 2006 tournament in Germany.

The fastest seller is ‘The Big Five Package.’
A Big Five package gives the buyer access to a private box with between 15 and 32 seats, and includes hospitality at the 36 matches being played at the five biggest 2010 stadiums.

90% of these packages are being snapped up by South African companies and groups.
The cost of such a package?
$1.5-million, or roughly R11-million.

 

But of course, the rich have their own opinion on this ‘largest gap’ issue.

According to presidential policy adviser Joel Netshitenzhe, the figure may not necessarily be accurate because state benefits targeted at the poor - and particularly the unemployed - of free basic water and electricity, access to health care and the social welfare grants to the poor may not be adequately reflected in the Gini coefficient.

So you see South Africa, the gap between rich and poor in our country is not really that big.

Kader Khan
Editor
info@yummie.co.za