Improving structural racial equality for historically-disadvantaged Black
South Africans, including low-skilled and unemployed adults and youths, is a
pertinent challenge for the South African government during the ongoing transition
from apartheid capitalism to post-apartheid capitalism. Within the framework of the
National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS), the introduction of ''learnerships'' and
''learning programmes'', which include structured learning programmes, learnerships,
apprenticeships and skills programmes, has had some impact. But
emerging theoretical perspectives assert that apartheid structural racial inequalities
persist and that structural reform is imperative. Opposing positions translate into two
perspectives on social transition: either capitalism can be de-racialised, or capitalism
in South Africa should be dismantled in order to de-racialise it. After a review of
relevant literature and governmental documents, the author identifies five structural
and pedagogical barriers as likely causes for low completion rates of skills
development courses and concludes that structural reform needs more favourable
political and economic conditions in order to be successful.