Mr Speaker, during a speech before the National House of Traditional Leaders, President Zuma publicly rejected the census results as propaganda and inventions of the media to undermine government. Government cannot ignore the census realities. [Interjections.] Inequality is the fertile mother of instability that can bring our country to its knees.
Not only did the Census 2011 figures show growing disparities between white and black South Africans, but also a rapidly growing income gap between black Africans. The nature and intensity of the recent wage demands and unrest demonstrate our vulnerability as a nation. This is fuelled by the wage disparities between the highly skilled top executives and the entry- level employees.
At the root of our inequality gap is our dysfunctional education system. Less than a third of South Africans have completed matric, while 8,6% have not had any education at all. Without relevant and quality education, there is no way of getting a better paying job. Although perceptions are currently being created that the unrest will translate into better wages ...