I could not help but think of this thread when reading this snippet from an address by Trevor Manuel recently:
"We are the first generation with the knowledge, awareness and resources to eradicate poverty, yet every day we learn that achieving this is far more complex than merely possessing the political will and resources to do so."
from M&G article here
He goes on to discuss what the priorities are, but it's this admission that getting the job done is more complex than previously understood that is both disturbing and hopeful.