How citizens with integrity can contribute to social justice in an unequal society

Abstract

Life in South Africa and elsewhere in the less developed world abounds with examples of social injustice, to such an extent that one could justifiably speak of unjust and unequal societies. In South Africa, a divide between the newly rich and the very poor has developed, coupled with a high crime rate which is one of the results of this inequality. This paper examines the thesis that social injustice can be eradicated in all unequal societies through educating the upcoming generations to be people with integrity, people who can be truly �organic� individuals, that is, with a spirit of serving others and caring for their interests. Education should be aimed at forming, guiding, equipping and enabling future citizens of the country to become driven with a spirit of selflessness and unselfishness. This will imbue in them a readiness to share with others and in doing so, to act and behave to the common good of all living in that particular society. This study has implications for education in all unequal societies, those still riddled with social injustice and suffering deep social divides.