SA looting: Trying to empower citizens through legislation alone has its shortcomings

Every effort has been made to create transformation in the economy, but participation of Africans in the mainstream economy has not reached everybody By Lawrence Sithole The recent protests, unrest, and subsequent looting of businesses in South Africa has left observers in the world watching with shock and horror. What began as political protest to the incarceration of a former president quickly degenerated into full-scale looting spree by certain members of that society. This upheaval has however, brought to the fore pertinent issues around economic empowerment, indigenization, and broad inclusion of the masses into the mainstream economy. The concept of empowerment of the masses is a highly topical concept in Zimbabwe and the greater part of southern Africa. It has a historical perspective to it. African countries gained the right to self-determination through armed struggle in many instances.