Senseless death, crippling inequality and the leaderless state we’re in

This week, South Africa was in desperate need for leadership, for someone in a position of authority to soothe a troubled and hurting nation. The presidency issued statements on the deaths of three of South African sporting heroes but President Jacob Zuma did not make any public appearances. The leaders of the ruling alliance were speaking on a public platform together but, as usual, were preoccupied with their own problems. It was up to other sporting personalities to impart some words of wisdom at a time of national grief. But South Africa's problems are now far beyond what nation-building sport can bring, and through the latest Oxfam report, the whole world knows it. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.