South Africa’s economic stagnation is the primary factor behind the country’s deteriorating human rights, according to the FW de Klerk Foundation. The assessment follows the release of the foundation’s 2024 annual report card, which highlights a worrying decline in constitutional rights.
The report evaluated 27 rights protected under the Bill of Rights, revealing that 11 have worsened, 10 remain unchanged, and only 4 have improved.
Foundation Executive Director Christo van der Rheede emphasized the link between economic challenges and human rights, stating: "Our economy is not growing; it’s stagnating. Many people are unemployed, and when you're unemployed, your dignity is compromised because you live in poverty."
Van der Rheede also pointed to budget constraints affecting essential services, particularly in education and healthcare. "We've seen the state’s inability to expand the education sector due to a lack of funding, leading to teaching posts being cut. Additionally, many healthcare facilities are deteriorating, and it all ties back to the economic crisis and the strain on the national budget," he explained.
The findings paint a grim picture of the country’s socio-economic landscape, raising concerns over the government's ability to uphold fundamental rights amid ongoing financial struggles.