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Pandemic Squeezes South Africa's Already Tight Middle Class

Anita Powell

   JOHANNESBURG - The restrictions imposed during South Africa's battle
   with COVID-19 have left lasting damage on untold numbers of South
   Africans -- including the nation's already pinched middle class.
   According to a United Nations study, more than a third of the Rainbow
   Nation's middle class households have been pushed into vulnerability. A
   young university-educated South African said his middle-class dreams
   have been shattered.

   Like many South Africans, Tshegofatso Balerileng had a tough year as
   his nation imposed strict coronavirus measures -- at the cost of the
   already struggling economy. He was laid off in June and moved in with
   family.

   "Things became difficult even at home. I couldn't I couldn't provide
   for my family the way that I used to, and at the time I lived with my
   grandfather and my father and none of them were employed. So we
   basically had to survive on the grants that they were receiving from
   the government," said Balerileng.

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