South Africa: Freedom for whom? Inequality, unemployment and the elderly

Idahosa, Love; Dijk, Justin van

doi:10.1057/dev.2015.18

Cited by 2 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The increase in inequality was primarily driven by labor market wages (Bhorat et al, 2001;Hundenborn et al, 2018;Hundenborn et al, 2018;Keswell et al, 2013;Liebbrandt et al, 2012;McDonald & Piesse, 1999;Tshitereke, 2006;Treganna and Tsela, 2012;Wittenberg, 2017aWittenberg, , 2017b. Those in the upper-and middle-income percentiles of the economic distribution derive most of their income from wages (Liebrandt et al, 2010(Liebrandt et al, , 2012World Bank, 2018).…”

Section: Changes In Inequalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Changes in household composition that have lowered the average number of employed adults in the larger households, with larger households now more likely to contain unemployed or low-income earners, have worsened things as well (Hundenborn et al, 2018;Sulla et al, 2022;Van Der Berg, 2011;Wittenberg, 2017b). Government grants and remittances do lower inequality, but only substantially impact the very bottom of the distribution (McDonald & Piesse, 1999).…”

Section: Changes In Inequalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Social stratification and inequality in South Africa

McKeever

2023

Sociology Compass

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South Africa is the most economically unequal country in the world. Moreover, research shows that inequality has only risen since advent of multi‐party democracy in 1994. In this article, I review research that documents how economic inequality has formed over the past century, and the relationship between these structural conditions and contemporary social stratification. The literature shows that since the end of apartheid racial inequality has declined somewhat, but increases in inequality within race have more than offset this. Despite momentous political change and formal legal equality, economic equality remains elusive for most South Africans. Research on South Africa shows that accounting for the historical construction of institutions that shape inequality is crucial not only for understanding stratification within the country, but for explaining it in any contemporary industrial society.

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Section: Changes In Inequalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Changes In Inequalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Social stratification and inequality in South Africa

McKeever

2023

Sociology Compass

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“…Despite apartheid having come to a formal end in 1994, South Africa stands out in the world as one of the countries with the highest levels of racial inequality (Idahosa & Van Dijk 2016). The 2014 estimate of South Africa's Gini coefficient, as published by the World Bank, was 63 -the second highest in the world after Sierra Leone (The World Bank 2019).…”

Section: Racial Inequality In South Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The key rationale for introducing a provision to address black tax is the notion that black South Africans earning a given amount of income have to discharge a greater amount of responsibility with it than their white counterparts. A contributing factor is household size (Idahosa & Van Dijk 2016).…”

Section: Need To Account For Varying Levels Of Responsibility Of Taxpmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Black tax: An international exploratory study in the South African context

Carpenter

Phaswana

2021

Journal of Economic and Financial Sciences

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This study focuses on the deductibility, exemption or tax credit of black tax in the context of South African legislation. The taxation of private transfers in three other countries is then investigated to see whether any suggested improvements could be made to South African law. Lastly, the study considers whether these other countries' treatment of private transfers could be adapted for South Africa.Orientation: South Africa is a country where the vast majority of residents experience inequality, poverty and deprivation on a daily basis. For many black South Africans, their experience includes the expectation to financially support extended family.Research purpose: This 'black tax' provides the government with an opportunity to redistribute wealth through taxation provisions. The study's purpose is to consider whether South African taxation legislation currently provides for black tax and if not, to provide suggested improvements.Motivation for the study: Whilst South Africa already has a social grant system in place, there is a need to account for varying levels of taxpayer responsibility and to encourage less dependence on the government.Research approach/design and method: Using a doctrinal research methodology, the authors collated relevant legislation and judicial precedents applied in South Africa with respect to supporting extended family and compared these to the taxation systems in the United States of America (USA), Brazil and Nigeria. Main findings:The findings indicate that the current South African taxation legislation does not provide for supporting extended family, including black tax, and the US dependent exemption or rebate is a potential option for consideration in South Africa.Practical/managerial implications: Taxpayers should encourage the South African government to develop a discussion document to encourage wider discourse. Contribution/value-add:The study makes an important contribution to the debate on changing taxation legislation to ensure income and wealth redistribution.

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South Africa: Freedom for whom? Inequality, unemployment and the elderly

Cited by 2 publications

References 15 publications

Social stratification and inequality in South Africa

Social stratification and inequality in South Africa

Black tax: An international exploratory study in the South African context

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