Unfinished journey of the rainbow nation

09 Setiembre 2003

An Introduction to South Africa

South Africa is associated especially with the recent transition to democracy, after years of oppressive, apartheid rule. Nelson Mandela, a true statesman, advocated reconciliation and commitment to building a new South Africa for all. Will his inspiration, reinforced by a progressive constitution, create the environment to address harsh realities of long term economic performance, so critical to the extreme divide between rich and poor?

The ANC

In 1994 the country held its first democratic elections and, during the last decade, the African National Congress (ANC) has transformed from a struggle organisation to the governing political party of the country. Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years of incarceration by the apartheid national government to serve as president of South Africa from 1994-99.

In terms of political party make-up, the ANC is the large governing party, with several minority parties in opposition. The ANC is itself part of a tri-partite alliance, with the South African Communist Party (SACP) and The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). This partnership has so far, been successful in containing the inherent tensions between leftist and centrist politics. In the last 10 years of democratic rule, the country has seen three largely peaceful national elections that were considered free and fair

the country has seen three largely peaceful national elections that were considered free and fair

. In April 2004, South Africa held her third national elections. The ANC won a landslide victory with 69% of the April 14 vote (compared to 66.35 in 1999). President Mbeki will continue as leader until the next elections in 2009.

A Progressive Constitution

South Africa's Constitution is considered one of the most progressive in the world. It was drawn up after holding extensive consultation with civil society groupings in 1996. Separation of powers between Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, is enshrined in the Constitution, and this separation has been tested, and proven healthy, in terms of two socio-economic rights issues: land and health. The Constitution has a much heralded Bill of Rights, protecting both political and socio-economic rights for citizens. The Constitution also provides for a number of watchdog agencies and commissions (called "Chapter 9 Institutions") whose role it is, to guarantee the realisation of a range of political and socio-economic rights for citizens. Among these are the Human Rights Commission, the Commission for Gender Equality, the Independent Electoral Commission, the Public Protector, and Auditor General.

HIV/AIDS Controversy

protesting for free antiretroviral drugs © TAC

One of the most contested areas of policy and government activity in recent times has been in the area of HIV/Aids. The South African government has a comprehensive prevention campaign in place, but there has been much dispute about treatment. Amongst others, a large civil society campaign called the Treatment Action Campaign has been calling for a comprehensive national treatment plan for some time. They took the government to the Constitutional Court in 2002, and won their case for citizens' right to access nevirapine, a treatment drug that prevents mother to child transmission.

Civil Society in South Africa

Civil Society lost many of its leaders to government post-1994, and has only begun to find its feet as a player in the arena of democratic engagement in the last couple of years. Parliament has a committee system to deliberate policy and legislation, and has passed a substantial number of pieces of legislation in the last 10 years, transforming the rights and realities of citizens who were previously disenfranchised under the apartheid system. Although there is some engagement with policy and law in parliament, recent research has shown that civil society organisations have found it useful to work with departments, at executive level.

Economic Policy and Poverty

The government's macro-economic policy of Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) has proven popular amongst international financial institutions, but not always as popular with its citizens. Many are still unemployed and frustrated at low growth levels. The ANC's first macro-economic strategy was the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) which was developed through wide consultation with citizens and stakeholders. GEAR was adopted in 1997 without consultation with civil society and has not delivered the promised levels of growth and employment.

Of the approximately 44 million citizens of South Africa, nearly half of these live below the poverty line and are in need of welfare and employment. The Social Development Department of Government has set up several grants to cater for the poor. Those that are considered best in terms of redistribution, are the old age pension, and the child support grant. Civil Society is currently lobbying hard for a revision of the social security system, particularly for a universal basic income grant, giving citizens R100 per month.

South Africa is a popular tourist destination, boasting urban centres and safari paradise venues, mountains and coastline to rival many holiday destinations around the world. Despite the decrease in tourism figures elsewhere in the world since September 2001, in South Africa, tourism has continued to boom.