Laying ghosts to rest: dilemmas of the transformation in South Africa

Abstract

Mamphela Ramphele tackles the ghosts of our past head-on in her frank discussion of the state of our democracy. Racism and sexism, a focus on transformation at the expense of delivery, capacity problems and the unintended consequences of policies such as Black Economic Empowerment and affirmative action are among the dilemmas she dissects. Ramphele makes a strong plea for active citizenship, for channeling anger into creative energy. 'Our tendency to label whatever whatever we disagree with as hostile speaks to the incompleteness of our journey. We need to acknowledge the woundedness of our psyche as part of the legacy of our past. pt. 1. Dealing with the past. The challenges of transformation -- A miracle that never was: living with ordinariness -- Laying ghosts to rest: the dilemmas of the truth and reconciliation commission -- pt. 2. Stubborn ghosts. Racism -- Ethnic chauvinism -- Sexism -- Authoritarianism -- Ready to govern? Challenges of citizenship -- State capacity to govern -- pt. 4. Human and intellectual capital. The school system -- The skills training system -- Higher education -- Haunted space: HIV/Aids -- pt. 4. Black economic empowerment. Ends and means -- pt. 5. Leadership challenges. Neighbourhood challenges -- Transformative leadership.