ENGINEERING INEQUALITY

Inequality is not a natural phenomenon; it arises from the persistence of dominant power relations maintained through active policies or policy indifference, allowing economic wealth to accumulate continuously among an elite. The issues plaguing Eswatini’s education and health systems, along with the skewed distribution of economic benefits, are critical.

Without addressing economic inequality, the country’s future looks bleak. Eswatini is among the top 10 most unequal countries globally, with a Gini coefficient of 54.6. Despite being classified as a lower middle-income country, its poverty statistics resemble those of a least developed country. Economic inequality is the primary issue that needs addressing, but policy indifference is worsening the situation.

The fault

The disparity between the top wealth quintiles and the bottom wealth quintiles is widening. Policy indifference towards the crumbling higher education system, inadequate efforts to address health sector issues and a lack of targeted policies to tackle unemployment, especially youth unemployment, are cultivating a more unequal society. The absence of a swift policy action to resolve crises in higher education and health effectively commodifies these services, benefitting only the affluent. In the absence of functioning public health and education systems, the private sector becomes the sole option, accessible only to those with resources. Education is a crucial tool for bridging income gaps, and access to proper healthcare ensures that all household members can participate in labour markets and earn a living.

Prognosis

The outlook for Eswatini is grim if rampant inequality is not addressed. Failure to tackle structural employment barriers and create necessary jobs will result in a severe dependency burden in the future. If the education system is not fixed, the future labour force will lack the skills needed for growth. The current generation of poorly equipped students will struggle to find suitable jobs and sustain themselves, predicting widespread poverty. Additionally, limited economic opportunities will likely drive remaining productive labour out of the country. The economic costs of inequality are severe, and appropriate policies must be enacted to avoid bearing these costs.

Economic costs of inequality

Economic inequality in Eswatini has significant costs, affecting both individual well-being and the broader economy. High inequality can lead to social unrest and increased crime rates as those with limited economic prospects resort to desperate measures. The rise in crime and criminal activity reflects a population with no economic prospects. Indifference or slow responses to health and education crises perpetuate a vicious cycle of poverty, limiting upward mobility. Inequality also leads to low productivity, deterring potential investments. Commerce thrives in environments with high labour productivity and low absenteeism due to illness. Slow responses to crucial sectors like health and education can hinder sustainable growth.

Nkwe!

In line with the call from the throne, nkwe should be our guiding principle, not just rhetoric. We need to be agile in our responses and policy actions; that is the true meaning of nkwe. It should manifest in our actions, not just in documents. Our attainment of the nkwe directive should be measured by the tangible solutions we provide. Despite having a new cabinet for almost a year, the health sector remains in disrepute, and the higher education situation is volatile. There are no short-term or medium-term actions. History has no blank pages and it will judge us harshly for disregarding the nation’s future. I call on all arms of government, civil society and all emaSwati to come together and produce a lasting solution to the problems we face within the higher education system and the health sector.

Improving the education system requires increased funding for infrastructure, training teachers and updating curricula. Ensuring access to quality education for all, investing in technology, and implementing targeted policies to address disparities can drive significant improvements, fostering a skilled workforce and enhancing economic prospects for the country. To improve the health sector, increased funding is essential to upgrade facilities and ensure medical supplies. Enhancing healthcare worker training, expanding access to rural areas, and implementing robust public health initiatives will address current disparities, improve service delivery, and promote overall health and well-being for all citizens.

If we focus our efforts on resources for health and education while building efficiencies into the system through the enactment of performance-based management systems and pseudo-privatisation, we might still save the future. We also need to focus on training and retraining programmes to ensure that the excess labour force is aligned with job market needs. Furthermore, a return to the fundamentals is critical; it is imperative that our people are trained in trades or vocations, improving the likelihood that they can be self-employed. Additionally, we need to ensure that we support entrepreneurship through access to resources and opportunities.

Conclusion

Addressing economic inequality is essential for fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth. We need effective policies to tackle structural barriers to employment, improve education systems, and enhance healthcare access. Without such measures, Eswatini faces a future of rampant poverty and a significant dependency burden, affecting long-term economic stability and growth prospects. Swift and decisive action is imperative to mitigate the economic costs of inequality and ensure a prosperous future for all.

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