By Mark DaCosta- In a recent analysis, veteran trade unionist Lincoln Lewis sheds light on the enduring struggles faced by the African community in our nation, particularly regarding their economic struggles. He argues that the legacy of chattel slavery has had long-lasting effects on the African population, which continue to hinder their economic progress. Lewis points to systemic barriers placed by both individuals and groups in power that actively stifle economic initiative and self-determination.
Historically, during the immediate aftermath of slavery, African communities fought fiercely against attempts to undermine their agricultural economy, often sabotaged by their former masters. Today, Lewis highlights how many citizens of African descent have long served in crucial roles within the public sector, contributing significantly to the nation’s welfare. Public servants are indeed the backbone of the economy, helping maintain production and financing state services through a system of taxation that cannot be easily evaded. Unlike others in the private sector or agriculture, public servants, due to payroll taxation, contribute consistently to the state’s revenues.
Yet, despite these contributions, African families find themselves in dire financial straits. Rising costs and stagnant wages have eroded purchasing power, making it increasingly difficult for them to make ends meet. Many parents are resorting to minimum-wage jobs or other temporary gigs just to provide basic necessities. Lewis poignantly remarks that, “When many parents must turn to private security work that pays minimum wage… they cannot provide three meals a day or pay rent.” This situation is not just an economic crisis; it’s a crisis of dignity and social stability.
In his analysis, Lewis also takes aim at government policies that perpetuate economic inequity for the African community. He references the nebulous concept of “ethnic balancing,” claiming it serves as a justification for barring qualified individuals from public sector opportunities. This does not occur, however, in the private sector, where similar affirmative action measures are conspicuously absent. Lewis reveals a troubling reality: “Young people with six to eight CXCs and university qualifications cannot get work commensurate with their education — not because they are not looking, but because of how they look.”
Furthermore, he notes a deeply troubling trend of land dispossession, citing government actions in 2022 where ancestral lands were surveyed under dubious pretences. Much like the historical injustices faced during colonialism, the current land laws threaten to dispossess rightful heirs in favour of less deserving claimants. This raises alarms within the community about the long-standing effects of dispossession that echo through generations.
Adding another layer of complexity, Lewis points to the broader implications of governmental negligence, indicating that the fight against structural inequities is a fight against what he calls “the underlying beliefs of inferiority or superiority.” These beliefs, which underpin social and racial hierarchies, persist in formulations of government policy that sidestep the urgent needs of marginalised communities.
With a grim foreboding, Lewis argues that the oppressions faced by the African community today are reminiscent of oppressive systems of the past, suggesting a regression rather than progression. The persistent suppression of African economic agency—isolation from equitable employment opportunities, discriminatory access to financial resources, and detrimental governmental practices—represents a deliberate strategy. His assertion that “the path forward demands collective action, genuine reform” is a call to arms for a community seeking justice and equity.
In the face of growing discontent, governmental inaction becomes untenable. If our nation is to truly achieve development, it must take a clear stance against the injustices faced by the African community. The oppressive weight of history must not be perpetuated through current policies, and it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that economic self-determination becomes a lived reality for all.
The overarching message from Lincoln Lewis is one of vigilance. “If we are serious about justice, development, and national unity, we must confront these injustices directly.” He poses a compelling challenge to both government and society: to prioritise systemic change that ensures economic dignity for all citizens, especially the African community, who have borne the brunt of inequities for far too long. Without this commitment, he warns, discussions surrounding progress remain simply words—devoid of true substance and meaning.
