Post-colonial Independence and Africa’s Corruption Conundrum: A Succinct South African Critique Post-democratisation

Abstract

The article examines Africa’s struggle with corruption in a post-colonial era with specific reference to South Africa. The article conceptualises the Afrocentric appraisal approach to reflect on the corruption challenges in post-colonial Africa. The article demonstrates that even though most African countries have adopted democratic systems of governance, nothing has changed, as the post-colonial leader has used the same tactics used by colonialism to maintain control, force, tyranny and oppression. Even though liberation movements in Africa were seen as heroes in the struggle for freedom, they, in turn, have become a burden to Africa’s development through increased corruption, breakdown in governance, political instability and the failure to consolidate a shared vision for Africa’s development. This observation has also been observed in South Africa. Narrowing this to South Africa, corruption has been a widespread phenomenon, predominantly post the democratic era. Over the years and until recently, the African National Congress-led government has been severely hindered by immense allegations of corruption among those top of the hierarchy. In the eyes of most academics, researchers and analysts, this has further hindered the need for inclusive development in a country faced with high numbers of escalating unemployment, inequality, poverty and crime. Driven by institutional theory, this article critically delves into corruption from an Afrocentric viewpoint, albeit focusing on South Africa’s post-democratic era.