Fifteen years after the apartheid, black South Africans are still highly isolated and are not given the same opportunities as the white citizens. To help remedy one such inequality the government has established a public bus system to give commuters another, less expensive, option for travelling to work.
The bus system will provide transportation for half the price of using the local taxis ( 5 rands as opposed to 10), and this has caused an uproar of protest and violence among the taxi drivers.
This new bus program was intended to help distribute opportunity more equally, but at the same time is slowing efficiency a great deal by creating street congestion, since taxi drivers are now on strike.
*Note* South Africa is to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup
4 comments:
This story reminds me of the conditions in China leading up to the Olympic Games. I think it'll be interesting to see what steps South Africa takes to improve itself before the World Cup and to see what the lasting effect of the changes after World Cup are.
I like this government program because they are helping out the workers and providing them with an alternative method of transportation. While still helping those negatively effected by the intervention by providing them opportunities in the bus company. It is good way to create equality while still helping those. Like Alison said it will be interesting to see if this program continue and helps with the World Cup and the years the follow.
I believe that in the case of South Africa providing equal opportunity will turn out to be more beneficial than just striving for economic efficiency. According to the UN Human Development Report, South Africa stands on the 125th place out of 179 countries. Population's life expectancy at birth is only 50.1 years. Providing equal opportunity for South African workers will help with the quality of life and, as a result, with their productivity.
I also agree with the transportation system that the government is imposing. Like Adam said, it is helping those who are not currently receiving equal opportunities. Although it is effecting the taxi drivers and creating congestion right now, I believe that in the long run it is going to benefit more than negatively effect. With lowering to 5 rands instead of 10, more people will be able to travel, and more people will, which WILL end up benefiting the taxi systems.
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