The Marathon

Against All Odds

Imagine a race, a marathon that has been running on for generations. It is a race that is challenging, requires endurance, resilience, and the skill of everyone who takes part in it. Among the runners, some have been in the race for a long time, learning along the way. Over time, they have developed the stamina and techniques necessary to succeed. They have found the best gear to wear that allows them to run faster with less fatigue. They have built a wealth of experience, adapting to the highs and lows of the race with skill and focus.

But just beyond the track, there is another group. A crowd of spectators who have been watching this race for as long as it has been happening and eager to join the race and being turned away at every turn they try to join, they are told by the race organisers that they do not belong in the race. The barriers keeping them out are often vague and sometimes they are told they are not strong enough or do not have the right qualifications. Instead of participating, they are given side tasks. They clear the racetrack, pick up the discarded cups after runners refresh themselves, and handle the maintenance and upkeep, but they are never allowed to actually compete.

For years, these sidelined individuals continue to watch the race, feeling both inspired and frustrated. Some of them eventually lose hope, resigning themselves to their roles. Others grow accustomed to this arrangement, accepting that they may never run the race that they long for. But deep down, a lingering question plagues them: Why can’t they take part? What makes them so different from those already in the race?

One day, some of the sidelined individuals finally speak up and challenge the status quo. More join in, questioning reasons why they are unfairly excluded. A movement is born from this-calling for the right to join the race. At first, the resistance is fierce. The race organisers insist that letting new people join could disrupt the entire event. But as the protests intensify, the spectators become more determined, risking their safety, facing hostility, and enduring hardships to fight for their right to take part.

After years of struggle, and even sacrifices that cost some their lives, these sidelined individuals finally win the right to join the race. However, this victory comes at a cost. It took generations of advocacy, sweat, and blood for them to gain access. When they finally step onto the track, they realise that they are not at the same starting level as the seasoned runners. They do not have the tools, the techniques, or the training that the others have developed over years of participation. They begin running, but it is clear that their path is steep. They stumble and fall, discovering that competing in the race is much harder than they had imagined.

As they struggle to keep up, they begin to notice that the inequality that once kept them off the track still affects their chances of success. They lack the experience and resources of the original runners, and even though they are in the race now, they still feel like they are behind. Frustration grows, and soon there are calls for reform. Some suggest that everyone should restart from the same line, so that everyone has a fair chance. But this idea is divisive. The seasoned runners argue that they have earned their place through years of vigorous work, while the new runners believe that a fresh start would give them a chance to catch up. The truth is that even with a fresh start, the veteran runners, who have inherited knowledge and skills, would likely still outpace the newcomers.

This race mirrors reality faced by oppressed and colonised communities when they are finally allowed to step on the track or economic and social progress. After generations of colonisation and exploitation, they are expected to progress at the same pace as their former oppressors, as if they were starting from the same point. The history of colonialism left deep economic, social, and psychological scars, which could not be erased overnight. In my home country South Africa, for example, B.E.E. (Black Economic Empowerment) is a policy framework aimed at addressing the economic inequalities created by apartheid. Introduced in the early 2000s, It was designed to promote the participation of black South Africans in the economy by encouraging businesses to invest in black ownership, employment, and development. Yet, these policies, though well-intentioned, have not been enough to dismantle entrenched inequalities. Businesses sometimes prioritize “box-ticking” rather than fostering genuine transformation, meaning real economic participation remains limited. Companies comply with B.E.E. requirements through fronting practices, where disadvantaged individuals are appointed to symbolic positions without real decision-making power or financial benefit. Even the updated B-BBEE is sufferers from the same setbacks.

So how can true equality be achieved? Real progress lies not only merely in allowing previously excluded people to participate, but in equipping them with the skills, and resources needed to succeed. When people are granted opportunities without the necessary foundation, it often sets them up for frustration and disappointment. In South Africa’s case, had the transfer of power been coupled with a strong commitment to education and skills development, more individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds could have been empowered to thrive within industries and governance.

Education is the key that can unlock true equality, providing people with the tools to build sustainable futures. One of the issues with B.E.E. is that it focuses heavily on ownership and management control, but insufficient attention has been given to skills development and education, which are critical for long-term economic empowerment. Without proper education and vocational training, most of the disadvantaged South Africans continue to lack the qualifications needed to thrive in skilled sectors of the economy. By prioritising education, societies can create a system where everyone, regardless of background, has the resources and knowledge needed to succeed. This approach focuses on creating long-term stability, rather than short-term solutions.

Now imagine a marathon where, instead of merely joining the track, new runners are given months or years of training. They are equipped with proper gear, taught essential skills, and mentored by those who have already mastered the course. They are given time to prepare, to learn, and to build up their endurance. By the time they join the race, they are no longer disadvantaged; they are capable and ready to compete on equal footing. This approach is the only sustainable way to address inequality and ensure that everyone can reach their full potential.

Real equality is not achieved by only pushing everyone to the same starting line, but also by empowering them with the tools, resources, and skills they need to thrive. This is the difference between symbolic change and meaningful progress. When people are given the knowledge and preparation they need, they are able to create their own success and contribute to society in lasting ways. For countries and communities recovering from the legacies of oppression and colonisation, education offers the pathway to empowerment, self-sufficiency, and genuine freedom.