Inequality has grown in South Africa since the end of apartheid, and the gap between rich and poor is now among the world’s largest

Education is a disgrace: South Africa ranks 132nd out of 144 countries for its primary education and 143rd in science and math. In the Department of Basic Education’s national literacy and numeracy tests in 2011, only 15% of 12-year-olds (sixth graders) scored at or above the minimum proficiency on the language test. In maths just 12% did. Three-quarters of white pupils complete the final year of high school, but only a third of black pupils. The unemployment rate, officially 25%, is probably nearer 40%; half of South Africans under 24 looking for work have none. Of those who have jobs, a third earn less than $2 a day. The unemployment rate among blacks is 29%, compared with 6% for whites. The ruling African National Congress's incompetence and outright corruption are the main causes of South Africa’s sad decline.