For South Africa's poor economic justice remains a dream

Abstract

'Poverty can drive you to educate yourself or it may leave you in the situation it found you in,' says Nomasonto Mthimkhulu, a 31-year-old anti globalisation activist, who lives in Sebokeng, a township in the Vaal region near Gauteng, which is located right next to one of South Africa's key oil plants, Sasol. Mthimkhulu has seen and experienced how economic injustice resulting from globalisation has shaped her life. This is her story: 1 grew up in Zone 13 of Sebokeng, a township with no tar road and a very poor housing infrastructure. I shared my home with my four, younger siblings and my mother, who is a single parent. My mother is disabled, and the six of us depended on her R410 [$56] disability grant. It was difficult being the eldest daughter. I had to provide for the family when my mother's grant ran out in the middle of the month.' 'I started selling sweets at school to generate extra money for home. We would use that money to buy mealie-meal and other essentials for the house. This situation put me in a very compromising position, as I had to support my family and, as a result, took less care of myself. I realised that there was no time to think about myself then, because I had to take care of my mother and my siblings. Even though my mother tried to encourage us to go to school, it was a hurdle because we would go to school hungry. Every one who starts a day without breakfast knows that it can be difficult. Well, I dragged myself through that situation and was able to finish high school/ 'Many environmental issues caused by the Sasol oil plant were and still are the top discussions in our community forums. I started attending community forums at the age of 20, but, initially, most of the discussions didn't make sense to me. Why would people complain about poor living conditions when our government has given them freedom, I would ask. The fact that I was poor did not offend me at all.' To me, it seemed that I should thank my government and go on with my life. I should thank my government despite the fact that my community claims that people are getting sick because of asthma caused by the plant. I should thank the government for my poorly built house and for my mother's grant.' 'After I had completed my high school, I started to look for a job. I remember that, a few times, I would be sent back home because the job was only for men. Sometimes, I would get a low-paid, temporary job at a shop. Applying for university was too far-fetched for me, as I had