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Has South Africa fallen prey to the same ‘bling’ culture that has so much eaten into the economic productive capacity of elite and middle class in most African states; the ‘eating without producing’ culture Claude Ake referred to as the bane of Africa? Has this eating without working culture became the popular culture in post-apartheid South Africa too?

Prof. William Gumede in a well written piece published in Panbazuka News says yes! As he puts it:  A new ‘bling’ culture has risen among South Africa’s ruling political, business and public administration elite… “It is one of getting rich quickly, using shortcuts. Once one has made it, one feels entitled to live lavishly – the ‘bling’ lifestyle. This ‘bling’ lifestyle has now become the new standard for achievement: A sign that one has made it. These shortcuts could be attaching oneself to a sugar daddy, or in politics to a political party boss, or attaching oneself to a crime boss. The more unfortunate, who do not have the connections or looks, try their luck by addictively playing the Lotto. They dream one lucky draw will bring fabulous wealth. Others resort to crime to reach their dream of ‘bling’. Nobody needs to work or study hard anymore. Everyone is looking for a shortcut....This ‘bling’ culture will break down South Africa’s productive capacity. We are ‘eating’, but we are not building any new factories or plants that can create jobs.”

Read the entire article here. See also a c succinct comment of the article : Where nobody needs to work or study hard anymore