Whites in South Africa now make up only 9% of the population, but own about 70% of the land and nearly all of the businesses and large modern homes.
About 46% of blacks are unemployed.
Those that are employed can be replaced quickly if they express dissatisfaction with the wage they are offered. Wage slavery keeps the black population under the control of whites. When a person's livelihood depends on wages, and their dependence is total and immediate, they have few options.
It is not unusual to see a black person defer to whites in small but significant ways. Looking toward the ground when meeting on the sidewalk... waiting to let us pass first...bowing their heads to show "respect". It feels like their role is similar to that of blacks in America before the Civil Rights Act was passed.
Also, we have noticed that the blacks who work as maids or gardeners often are treated as second class citizens. We are told their names when they first appear for work, but we are not introduced to them. It seems that we are not expected to speak with them. Certainly we do not feel encouraged to ask them about their family or any issues that concern them.
Is this a carryover from apartheid (separation of the races)?
One white South African told me that he expects much of world will look like South Africa within 30 years...with the wealthy living in gated, guarded communities surrounded by poor communities which will provide services to the rich.
It does not seem right that the blacks here are caught in a system where they have so little opportunity to have a better life.
It isn't right that they earn so little that they have to walk while expensive cars pass by them.
It isn't right that they constantly struggle to pay school fees, doctor bills, and grocery bills.
It is just wrong that their government is corrupt and fails to provide necessary services while the leaders pocket huge sums of money.
