Elite perceptions of poverty: South Africa

Elite perceptions of poverty in South Africa are affected by the distinctiv e character of social segmentation there. The huge sire of segments and the immense distances (social, economic and psychological) between elites and the poor within segments, discourages elites from assisting poor people wit hin their segments. They look instead to government to help the poor in gen eral. The ruling ANC elite, unlike most elites, is fully prepared to tackle poverty But it faces a cruel choice between pursuing growth and redistribu tion. It seeks both, but the emphasis has been on growth - so far to little effect.