South Africa’s squalid squatter camps bear testimony to the failure of democracy to deliver the prosperity many had hoped for
05 June 2025 - 05:00
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After 30 years of democracy, our rich country remains a nation of landless urbanised populations living in squalid squatter camps bursting at the seams, political dynamite waiting to explode
. Statistics do not capture the full extent of human suffering and lost opportunities because of poverty, hunger, disease, violent crime and unemployment. When democracy dawned in 1994, many had hoped for liberty, prosperity and a new beginning. They have been cruelly disappointed.
Farouk Araie Benoni
The FM welcomes concise letters from readers. They can be sent to fmmail@fm.co.za
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
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LETTER: Squatter camps are a political powder keg
South Africa’s squalid squatter camps bear testimony to the failure of democracy to deliver the prosperity many had hoped for
After 30 years of democracy, our rich country remains a nation of landless urbanised populations living in squalid squatter camps bursting at the seams, political dynamite waiting to explode
. Statistics do not capture the full extent of human suffering and lost opportunities because of poverty, hunger, disease, violent crime and unemployment. When democracy dawned in 1994, many had hoped for liberty, prosperity and a new beginning. They have been cruelly disappointed.
Farouk Araie
Benoni
The FM welcomes concise letters from readers. They can be sent to fmmail@fm.co.za
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