, SUS1501 Assignment 5 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester
2 2024 - DUE 16 September 2024 ; 100% TRUSTED
Complete, trusted solutions and explanations.
1. BACKGROUND FACTS • “In the first 6 months of 2024, the
six wealthiest men in South Africa gained on average R77
million per day each.” • “60% of the world’s cobalt is mined in
the DRC. Significant amounts of this is mined under appalling
conditions often by child labourers.” • “Of the top 10 wealthiest
people (all men), seven are tech billionaires. Their net worth is
US$ 847 billion or ZAR 13 trillion!”
The background facts you provided highlight significant
disparities in wealth distribution, unethical labor practices, and
the dominance of tech billionaires globally. These issues can be
further analyzed as follows:
1. Wealth Inequality in South Africa:
o The wealth accumulation of the six wealthiest men in
South Africa gaining on average R77 million per day
emphasizes the stark contrast between the rich and the
poor in the country. South Africa already struggles
with one of the highest levels of inequality in the
world, and this figure further underscores the growing
divide.
2. Child Labor in the DRC's Cobalt Mining Industry:
o The fact that 60% of the world's cobalt is mined in
the DRC, with a significant portion mined under
appalling conditions often by child laborers, reveals
the exploitation prevalent in global supply chains.
Cobalt is essential for batteries in electronics, meaning