Madonsela speaks on inequality

Madonsela has been addressing students and academics at the University of KwaZulu Natal’s Howard College campus.

She says the Equality Act was the brainchild of the first parliament of democratic South Africa.

"The Frene Ginwala generation knew that the constitution alone was not going to be enough and they rushed to make sure that before the end of the first Parliament in 1999, we had an Equality Act as the constitution had put a deadline to it, and that act was passed," she said. 

Chapter five of the act deals with the progressive realisation of equality.
 
Madonsela says South Africa has had 21 years to narrow the inequality gap - but instead it's currently the most unequal society in the world.

"I've written to the Minister of Justice to ask why 15 years down the line Chapter five of the Equality Act has not been implemented. The answer I got is an impact study[is being conducted]. Why was the BEE Act not held back to conduct an impact study? she asked? 

Madonsela has stressed it's the responsibility of all South Africans to address racial, financial and other inequalities.

(File photo: Gallo Images)