Are we not all agreed that the inequality in our society (whether between the employed and the unemployable, executives and workers, or the rich and the dispossessed) is not sustainable if we want harmony and stability in our social fabric?

Despite, or because of, well-intentioned labour laws and grants to millions of economically excluded citizens, the inequality persists, if not becomes greater. The capitalist tenet of the trickle-down effect has not made a significant impact for a myriad reasons - including greed and corruption.

Either employers, the government and workers come up with a "better way of doing things" than the Nedlac talk-shop or the Malemas will continue to exploit the plight of the disgruntled millions for their own benefit. The more desperate the people are, the more daring the opportunists will get.

The solution is going to be ever more difficult the longer the plight is ignored.

If Malema can contribute to alleviating the miners' discontent it might give the key players the required sense of urgency to implement the noble recommendations of the National Planning Commission.