Yes, I was thinking as I wrote it that there are likely parallels to places in US.

And yes, it’s a complex issue for sure.

I’m convinced that the way out of poverty here is through education and sadly there is just a huge amount of apathy (when not corruption) at all levels here by the people who are supposed to be making it happen, from pupils, their parents, teachers, etc, all the way to the minister of education.

Meanwhile people like me pay huge amounts of tax and still need to pay for private schooling for my kids, private security and medical aid.

Essentially, most of the money I pay for tax is a charity intended for the poor, but due to apathy/incompetence/corruption, not nearly enough of it gets used effectively.