Much has been said these past few months about 'essential' services. Some activities have to happen for the basics of life to proceed. This idea has been central to the conversation around the immediate goal of restricting the spread of the Covid-19 virus; but it is a useful guide to so much more.
Thuthukani Ndebele, is Head of Research at the Centre For Risk Analysis (CRA). He is responsible for writing and/or editing major CRA publications — such as the flagship annual Socio-Economic Survey of South Africa, monthly, weekly, and occasional reports. Thuthukani also conducts research tasks as requested by CRA clients, with a particular focus on education. Having developed a keen eye for detail over time, he now maintains oversight of the report production process (typesetting), ensuring quality output. Thuthukani holds an Honour’s degree in Migration and Displacement from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Poor people with little education and no work, and who generally live under difficult conditions, find themselves relying on state support, while being unable to occupy centre stage in public discourse. They are the underclass — often neglected and ‘invisible’ — yet increasingly, they are becoming a potential source of unrest.