Part 4/7:

Post-apartheid South Africa has faced significant challenges, with one of the pressing issues being institutional corruption. State-owned enterprises, initially established to support black economic empowerment, have largely been exploited for personal gain, particularly by elite circles. Former President Jacob Zuma's administration epitomizes this level of corruption, leading the nation through scandals involving misappropriation of public funds.

This corruption ties directly into the economy's dysfunction, affecting vital infrastructure, including energy supply. The state-owned electricity provider, Eskom, has been plagued with inefficiencies and mismanagement, leading to frequent power outages—known as load shedding—that stymie productivity and economic growth.