Been to SA 3 times, have a number of South African friends (white), and have studied its history and politics pretty closely. Pains me to say it but AP is about 100% correct.
Change had to happen and quickly. Quotas in sport and business sped up that change. But still millions are without work. Not helped by having poor war ridden or poorly governed countries like Mozambique, Angola and Zimbabwe nearby with economic refugees flooding into SA.
The biggest downfall for whites has been huge increase in violent crime. That won’t drop significantly until big drop in unemployment, and higher average wages for blacks. Until then an unemployed, low educated black guy, who may have say lost his parents to HIV, will be tempted to grab a gun when he sees a white person or middle class black drive a nice European car. Not excusing all South Africa’s criminals - but have sympathy for some, when their future seems hopeless.
On the positive front the Springboks have just appointed their first black (not coloured) captain, who was raised in a poor township. Also seemingly an appointment completely on merit by a white coach (who replaced a black coach).
Then their cricket team has a young black fast bowler (Rabada), who when not suspended is already one of the worlds best.
The sports quota process has undoubtedly sped up the increasing merit selections of blacks in top level SA sport.