South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu made a stinging attack on the nation's governing elite during a speech Tuesday, condemning lawmakers for implementing polices that neglect the poor.
In his remarks, Archbishop Tutu said an economic program designed to empower South African blacks (Black Economic Empowerment) has only further enriched already wealthy blacks despite grinding poverty.
He also warned against what he said is a growing expectation among politicians who demand their supporters not openly criticize them. He said blindly following the line of the ruling African National Congress party is a fatal blow to vibrant democracy in South Africa. Despite the strong criticism, the archbishop also said it is important for South Africans not to lose sight of how far they have come since the end of white-minority rule just over a decade ago.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.