Transition to Democracy
CRITICALLY ASSESSING SOUTH AFRICA’S
TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY
By
By Zaahir Samodien
Date: 20 April 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. BACKGROUND Page 1
2. ASSETS SINCE TRANSITION Page 1
1. Deepening of democracy Page 1
2. Governance Page 1
3. Building of the Economy Page 2
4. International / African Partnerships Page 3
5. Social Improvements Page 4
6. Tourism Page 5
3. LIABILITIES SINCE TRANSITION Page 5
1. Increase in Absolute Poverty Page 5
2. Unemployment Page 6
3. Crime and Corruption Page 7
4. HIV /AIDS Page 7
5. Landlessness Page 8
6. Administrative Inefficiencies Page 8
4. CONCLUSION Page 9
5. BIBLIOGRAPHY Page 9
1. BACKGROUND
During the rule of the apartheid government, society was divided along racial lines. The government deliberately promoted the impoverishment of the black majority and they were denied all possibility of enjoying a decent standard of living. The country was economically isolated due to international sanction. Growth had declined below 15 per annum for the period before 1994. The police and justice systems violated most human and civil rights. It was used by the state as an instrument to defend apartheid. Political violence, killings and bombings were frequent. Governance by largely defined by national security policies. The social of the country was torn apart by apartheid and social conflict. (South African Government, 2004)
2. ASSETS SINCE TRANSITION
1. Deepening of democracy
The extent and foundation of South Africa’s democracy is encapsulated in the constitution of the country. Features included in the constitution are common citizenship, equality, democratic system of government; a bill of fundamental human
TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY
By
By Zaahir Samodien
Date: 20 April 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. BACKGROUND Page 1
2. ASSETS SINCE TRANSITION Page 1
1. Deepening of democracy Page 1
2. Governance Page 1
3. Building of the Economy Page 2
4. International / African Partnerships Page 3
5. Social Improvements Page 4
6. Tourism Page 5
3. LIABILITIES SINCE TRANSITION Page 5
1. Increase in Absolute Poverty Page 5
2. Unemployment Page 6
3. Crime and Corruption Page 7
4. HIV /AIDS Page 7
5. Landlessness Page 8
6. Administrative Inefficiencies Page 8
4. CONCLUSION Page 9
5. BIBLIOGRAPHY Page 9
1. BACKGROUND
During the rule of the apartheid government, society was divided along racial lines. The government deliberately promoted the impoverishment of the black majority and they were denied all possibility of enjoying a decent standard of living. The country was economically isolated due to international sanction. Growth had declined below 15 per annum for the period before 1994. The police and justice systems violated most human and civil rights. It was used by the state as an instrument to defend apartheid. Political violence, killings and bombings were frequent. Governance by largely defined by national security policies. The social of the country was torn apart by apartheid and social conflict. (South African Government, 2004)
2. ASSETS SINCE TRANSITION
1. Deepening of democracy
The extent and foundation of South Africa’s democracy is encapsulated in the constitution of the country. Features included in the constitution are common citizenship, equality, democratic system of government; a bill of fundamental human
Bibliography: 2004, “RSA: Special report on widening poverty gap” – IRIN News org – United Nations Manuel, T, 2004, “Budget speech” Ontario, D, 2002: - “Nepad and Globalization”, Alternative Information & Development Centre Graham, S, 2004: “Unemployment haunts South Africa” UN Report, 2004,”SOUTH AFRICA: Special report on a decade of democracy - HIV/AIDS”, IRIN News Mda, Z, 2004, “We don 't deify our leaders or kowtow to the ruling party, The Guardian