Economic justice in South Africa: a pastoral statement
- Authors: Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference
- Date: 1999-09
- Subjects: Economics -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1991- , Economic conditions -- Catholic Church , Social justice -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68823 , vital:29328 , ISBN 1874838275
- Description: The Introduction to the statement explains that its aim is to contribute to the search for a more just, equitable and sustainable economic dispensation. It reminds people that, as a nation, we have overcome the horrors of apartheid and made significant progress towards peace and stability. However, we are sitting on an economic time-bomb; if we do not strive for economic justice we must expect a deepening of our social problems such as crime, lawlessness, poverty and unemployment. The second section considers the Church's Prophetic Duty to speak out and to bring Gospel values to bear on political, economic and social matters. A second transformation is needed: massive, and overwhelmingly positive, political change has occurred, but the same has not yet happened in the economy, with the result that the majority of our people still have little chance of fulfilling their reasonable hopes for a better life. Section three turns to the question of Discerning Economic Justice. It is asserted that every economy has a moral quality which makes it possible for us to pass judgements as to whether or not it is a just economy. In order to make such judgements the presence or absence of various factors must be assessed, including poverty, unemployment, discrimination, materialism and environmental degradation. Next, the statement deals briefly with Economic Structure. The fact that economies are complex, and that most people are unfamiliar with economic terminology, results in many people feeling powerless. They believe that, as individuals, they have no influence over, or responsibility for, the way an economy operates. Some of the negative consequences of such a belief are mentioned, and it is pointed out that we have a moral duty to make the correct choices, even in complex matters. Section four, Christian Economic Values, offers some guidelines for those striving to make these choices. The section summarises some of the main concepts and principles developed by the Church as ways of making concrete the commandment to 'love your neighbour as yourself'. These include the common good, solidarity, the option for the poor, the common destiny of goods, and the integrity of creation. The South African Economy is analysed in section six, according to the criteria mentioned in section three. Poverty, unemployment, materialism, greed, the lack of women's economic empowerment, debt and corruption are among the features identified as contributing to economic injustice in our country. But the gap between rich and poor is singled out as the defining characteristic of our economy, with millions of South Africans surviving, like Lazarus, on crumbs from the rich man's table. No country's economy exists in isolation, free from outside influences. Therefore, in section seven, some attention is given to The World Economy, especially to aspects which affect South Africa. The point is made that international factors can act as powerful constraints on moves towards economic justice at home, without their being, however, an excuse for a lack of effort in this direction. When statements such as the present one are published, people have a right to expect the authors to make specific and practical recommendations. This is attempted in section eight, What Can Be Done? The major role-players in the economy are identified and various steps are suggested for each of them; these range from fiscal initiatives to encourage job-creation, through changes to personal taxation and measures to improve productivity and training, to the promotion of the interests of the unemployed. However, it is conceded that even the most enlightened economic measures will not be able to withstand selfish and destructive attitudes. The question of people's attitudes to each other and to economic choices is therefore addressed, with particular emphasis being placed on the role of the religious community in this regard. By way of Conclusion the statement points out that economic justice is demanded not just by the poor and by forthcoming generations, but by God. In striving for a just economy we are carrying forward Jesus' great task of bringing fullness of life to all people. , 2nd ed
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- Date Issued: 1999-09
Employment Equity: an introductory workshop for trade unionists organised by the COSATU Education Department
- Authors: Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)
- Date: 1999-09
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/106134 , vital:32610
- Description: This workshop is designed to give you a reliable introduction the Employment Equity Act. It is based on hard information and on ACTIVITIES or discussion exercises that will help you to understand how the Act works, who it covers, and what the implications are for trade unionists. Each of the Activities is complemented with information that will help you to understand the Act in more detail. Sections have been added to help you find further information, and to understand the terms that are used in the Act itself in a two day programme, you are not going to be an 'expert' on the Employment Equity Act, but we hope that you will feel more confident about using the Act, especially in ensuring that it is used to address a wide range of discriminatory practices at the workplace. As with most legislation, the more that you begin to use it, the more its strengths and weaknesses will emerge. It is very important that any weaknesses in the practical application of the Act are reported through your Union to the Federation. This will help the Federation to campaign for improvements in the legislation, and to close any loopholes that allow employers to avoid their responsibilities. All Labour Legislation, including the new Employment Equity Act should serve as a 'base-line' or minimum standard. Employer and Union observance of the minimum standards as laid down in law should be our starting point. Through collective bargaining and improved Union organisation, we aim to improve upon the standards set by the law, and increase the protection of our members. This is a real challenge. It is especially important for us all to recognise that as we enter into a period where employers are demanding more 'flexibility', the introduction of a new law to correct the legacy of imbalances left by apartheid at the workplace deserves our special attention. We hope this workshop is the first in a series of educational events that will cover this vital new area. The main aim of this workshop is to help you to understand the basic workings of the law, and how best it can be implemented. We also hope this programme encourages you to find out more about Employment Equity issues, and contribute positively to the struggle for the eradication of inequality. This pack is designed for a series of two-day introductory workshops that are being sponsored by COSATU in each region. A workshop of COSATU Educators held in September 1999 helped to assemble the material, and to test its appropriateness. As a result there are a considerable number of educators who can advise, and facilitate this workshop and who can be contacted via COSATU Education Department. We would also be very interested to hear how the pack has been used, and in particular how it can be improved to meet the needs of trade unionists who want to tackle discrimination using the tool of the Employment Equity Act, as well as other organisational means. If you use this pack, feedback would be most welcome.
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- Date Issued: 1999-09
The economic rationale and modalities for rural infrastructure development: developmental local government in rural service delivery
- Authors: Stilwell, Ted , Atkinson, Doreen
- Date: 1999-09
- Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/73841 , vital:30234 , 1919692444
- Description: The Policy Unit of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has developed a number of strategic themes embracing many cross-cutting issues. The main thrust of the Unit’s work, however, focuses on the core mandate of the Bank - infrastructure. In order to provide for a coherent whole, rural infrastructure must fit into a broader policy framework. Globally, the goals set for the first two decades of the next millennium are to address poverty and achieve food security. The DBSA can contribute to South Africa’s position on these global themes by addressing the issue of rural infrastructure delivery, taking cognisance of the South African government’s Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) programme. This discussion document will specifically address the local economic development activities of farm production and rural livelihoods in order to achieve food security, address poverty and foster economic growth in the marginalised, infrastructure-deprived rural areas of the country. It is assumed that additional entrepreneurial economic opportunities will arise at village and town level as producers become nett surplus producers, eg in small grain milling, cottage industry, village markets, processing (value adding), etc. In contrast to urban development, where economic activity is assumed by investing in infrastructure, the DBSA will actively have to support the transformation of economic activity in the rural scenario. One of the past successes of the DBSA has been the introduction of the Farmer Support Programme (FSP). The FSP’s provision of services and support, based on the needs of existing smallholders, is embedded in participatory planning and action. Without local initiatives, rural infrastructure cannot be delivered effectively to bolster economic growth, create jobs and redistribute income. Most of the country’s poor live in rural areas, and without rural development there can be no GEAR. Life in these areas needs to be made liveable by encouraging entrepreneurial development, which includes facilitating agriculture, creating jobs and increasing rural income through appropriate government actions for improving the welfare of rural households. One of the ways in which national, provincial and local government could have a broad-based impact is by providing rural economic infrastructure and, to this end, local government, including regional and district councils, has been mandated to develop integrated development plans. These plans have to include economic development plans, and entrepreneurial development has been singled out as important in this regard. From this it follows that district councils and municipalities have a prime responsibility for developing entrepreneurs, including farmers in their rural constituency.
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- Date Issued: 1999-09