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What is a co-operative?

- Crankshaw, Paul

Authors: Crankshaw, Paul
Date: [Date of publication not identified]
Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa , Producer cooperatives -- South Africa , Consumer cooperatives -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: text , book
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/75688 , vital:30448
Description: The word ‘co-operative’ means to work together for a common goal. A co-operative is a group of people who together own and control an organisation or a business for the benefit of its members. A co-operative is democratic, and so the members of the co-operative are responsible to each other. They work for themselves; and together they decide how to run the co-operative and how to share the profits. , This booklet was put together by members of Cope, with the help of Paul Crankshaw (editing and layout), Leslie Lawson (photographs and interviews) and Sue Beattie (drawings)
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Date Issued: [Date of publication not identified]

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Fundal pressure during the second stage of labour

- Hofmeyr, Georges Justus, Vogel, Joshua. P, Cuthbert, Anna, Singata, Mandisa

Authors: Hofmeyr, Georges Justus , Vogel, Joshua. P , Cuthbert, Anna , Singata, Mandisa
Date: 03-2017
Subjects: South Africa Pregnancy Computer File
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5766 , vital:44640 , https://DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD006067.pub3
Description: Background Fundal pressure during the second stage of labour (also known as the 'Kristeller manoeuvre') involves application of manual pressure to the uppermost part of the uterus directed towards the birth canal, in an attempt to assist spontaneous vaginal birth and avoid prolonged second stage orthe need for operative birth. Fundal pressure has also been applied using an inflatable belt. Fundal pressure is widely used, however methods of its use vary widely. Despite strongly held opinions in favour of and against the use of fundal pressure, there is limited evidence regarding its maternal and neonatal benefits and harms. There is a need for objective evaluation of the eGectiveness and safety of fundal pressure in the second stage of labour. Objectives To determine if fundal pressure is eGective in achieving spontaneous vaginal birth, and preventing prolonged second stage or the need for operative birth, and to explore maternal and neonatal adverse eGects related to fundal pressure. Search methods We searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register (30 November 2016) and reference lists of retrieved studies. Selection criteria Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials of fundal pressure (manual or by inflatable belt) versus no fundal pressure in women in the second stage of labour with singleton cephalic presentation. Data collection and analysis Two or more review authors independently assessed potential studies for inclusion and quality. We extracted data using a pre-designed form. We entered data into Review Manager 5 soAware and checked for accuracy. Main results Nine trials are included in this updated review. Five trials (3057 women) compared manual fundal pressure versus no fundal pressure. Four trials (891 women) compared fundal pressure by means of an inflatable belt versus no fundal pressure. It was not possible to blind women and staG to this intervention. We assessed two trials as being at high risk of attrition bias and another at high risk of reporting bias. All other trials were low or unclear for other risk of bias domains. Most of the trials had design limitations. Heterogeneity was high for the majority of outcomes. Manual fundal pressure versus no fundal pressure Manual fundal pressure was not associated with changes in: spontaneous vaginal birth within a specified time (risk ratio (RR) 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71 to 1.28; 120 women; 1 trial; very low-quality evidence), instrumental births (RR 3.28, 95% CI 0.14 to 79.65; 197 women; 1 trial), caesarean births (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.07 to 17.27; 197 women; 1 trial), operative birth (average RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.12 to 3.55; 317 women; 2 studies; I2 = 43%; Tau2 = 0.71; very low-quality evidence), duration of second stage (mean diGerence (MD) -0.80 minutes, 95% CI -3.66 to 2.06 minutes; 194 women; 1 study; very low-quality evidence), low arterial cord pH in newborn babies (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.58; 297 women; 2 trials; very low-quality evidence), or Apgar scores less than seven at five minutes (average RR 4.48, 95% CI 0.28 to 71.45; 2759 infants; 4 trials; I2 = 89%; Tau2 = 3.55; very low-quality evidence). More women who received manual fundal pressure had cervical tears than in the control group (RR 4.90, 95% CI 1.09 to 21.98; 295 women; 1 trial). No neonatal deaths occurred in either of the two studies reporting this outcome (very low-quality evidence). No trial reported the outcome severe maternal morbidity or death. Fundal pressure by inflatable belt versus no fundal pressure Fundal pressure by inflatable belt did not reduce the number of women havinginstrumental births (average RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.02; 891 women; 4 trials; I2 = 52%; Tau2 = 0.05) or operative births (average RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.01; 891 women; 4 trials; I2 = 78%; Tau2 = 0.14; very low-quality evidence). Heterogeneity was high for both outcomes. Duration of second stage was reported in two trials, which both showed that inflatable belts shortened duration of labour in nulliparous women (average MD -50.80 minutes, 95% CI -94.85 to -6.74 minutes; 253 women; 2 trials; I2 = 97%; Tau2 = 975.94; very low-quality evidence). No data on this outcome were available for multiparous women. The inflatable belt did not make any diGerence to rates of caesarean births (average RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.14 to 2.26; 891 women; 4 trials; I2 = 70%; Tau2 = 0.98), low arterial cord pHin newborn babies (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.09 to 2.55; 461 infants; 1 trial; low-quality evidence), or Apgar scores less than seven atfive minutes (RR 4.62, 95% CI 0.22 to 95.68; 500 infants; 1 trial; very low-quality evidence). Third degree perinealtears were increased in the inflatable belt group (RR 15.69, 95% CI 2.10 to 117.02; 500 women; 1 trial). Spontaneous vaginal birth within a specified time, neonatal death, andsevere maternal morbidity or death were not reported in any trial. Authors' conclusions There is insuGicient evidence to draw conclusions on the beneficial or harmful eGects of fundal pressure, either manually or by inflatable belt. Fundal pressure by an inflatable belt during the second stage of labour may shorten duration of second stage for nulliparous women, and lower rates of operative birth. However, existing studies are small and their generalizability is uncertain. There is insuGicient evidence regarding safety for the baby. There is no evidence on the use of fundal pressure in specific clinical settings such as inability of the mother to bear down due to exhaustion or unconsciousness. There is currently insuGicient evidence for the routine use of fundal pressure by any method on women in the second stage of labour. Because of current widespread use of the procedure and the potential for use in settings where other methods of assisted birth are not available, further good quality trials are needed. Further evaluation in other groups of women (such as multiparous women) will also be required. Future research should describe in detail how fundal pressure was applied and consider safety of the unborn baby, perineal outcomes, longer-term maternal and infant outcomes and maternal satisfaction.
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Date Issued: 03-2017

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Iodine nutrition status in Africa: Potentially high prevalence of iodine deficiency in pregnancy even in countries classified as iodine sufficient

- Charles Bitamazire Businge, Benjamin Longo-Mbenza, Andre Pascal Kengne

Authors: Charles Bitamazire Businge , Benjamin Longo-Mbenza , Andre Pascal Kengne
Date: 03-8-2020
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3377 , vital:43336 , https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/public-health-nutrition/article/iodine-nutrition-status-in-africa-potentially-high-prevalence-of-iodine-deficiency-in-pregnancy-even-in-countries-classified-as-iodine-sufficient/B3DCB06E75CDDD8EAD410BE090198BA4
Description: Objective: To assess the burden of iodine deficiency in pregnancy in Africa using estimated pregnancy median urinary iodine concentration (pMUIC). Design: pMUIC for each African country was estimated using a regression equation derived by correlating the school-age children (SAC) median UIC (mUIC) and pMUIC from countries around the globe, and the SAC mUIC data for African countries obtained from the Iodine Global Network (IGN) 2017 and 2019 Score cards. Setting: Iodine deficiency was endemic in many African countries before the introduction of iodine fortification, mainly through universal salt iodisation programmes about 25 years ago. There is a scarcity of data on the level of iodine nutrition in pregnancy in Africa. Women living in settings with pMUIC below 150 μg/l are at risk of iodine deficiency-related pregnancy complications. Participants: Fifty of the fifty-five African countries that had data on iodine nutrition status. Results: A cut-off school age mUIC ≤ 175 μg/l is correlated with insufficient iodine intake in pregnancy (pregnancy mUIC ≤ 150 μg/l). Twenty-two African countries had SAC mUIC less than 175 μg/l, which correlated with insufficient iodine intake during pregnancy (pMUIC less than 150 μg/l). However, nine of these twenty-two countries had adequate iodine intake based on SAC mUIC. Conclusions: There is likely a high prevalence of insufficient iodine intake in pregnancy, including in some African countries classified as having adequate iodine intake in the general population. A SAC mUIC ≤ 175 μ
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Date Issued: 03-8-2020

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A Review of Arterial Stiffness and HIV Infection in Adult Africans

- Awotedu, Kofoworola Olajire, Iputo, Jehu

Authors: Awotedu, Kofoworola Olajire , Iputo, Jehu
Date: 09-06-2016
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3484 , vital:43615 , https://www.hilarispublisher.com/open-access/a-review-of-arterial-stiffness-and-hiv-infection-in-adult-africans-2167-1095-1000221.pdf
Description: Aim: To review the impact of the human immunodeficiency virus and antiretroviral therapy on the vasculature. Objectives: This review seeks to identify the burden which the human immunodeficiency virus and antiretroviral therapy have on the vasculature. Method: Medline/PubMed and Google scholar were searched. There were over 100 publications reviewed. Some people who worked in similar fields were also contacted. The present review summarized current understanding of Human immunodeficiency virus, antiretroviral therapy and effect on the vasculature such as arterial stiffness. Atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, the strengths and weaknesses of current testing strategies, and their potential applications in clinical research and patient care. The association of inflammatory biomarkers, blood pressure and ageing with arterial stiffness were also reviewed. Conclusion: Available literature shows that HIV and antiretroviral agents have a great impact on the vasculature and its progression.
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Date Issued: 09-06-2016

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Medical Education in Decentralized Settings: How Medical Students Contribute to Health Care in 10 Sub-Saharan African Countries

- Talib, Zohray, van Schalkwyk, Susan, Cooper , I, Pattanaik , Swaha, Turay , Khadija, Sagay, Atiene S, Baingana , Rhona, Baird , Sarah, Gaede , Bernhard, Iputo, Jehu, Kibore , Minnie, Manongi , Rachel, Matsika , Antony, Mogodi , Mpho, Ramucesse , Jeremais, Ross, Heather, Simuyeba, Moses, Haile-Mariam, Damen

Authors: Talib, Zohray , van Schalkwyk, Susan , Cooper , I , Pattanaik , Swaha , Turay , Khadija , Sagay, Atiene S , Baingana , Rhona , Baird , Sarah , Gaede , Bernhard , Iputo, Jehu , Kibore , Minnie , Manongi , Rachel , Matsika , Antony , Mogodi , Mpho , Ramucesse , Jeremais , Ross, Heather , Simuyeba, Moses , Haile-Mariam, Damen
Date: 10-2017
Subjects: Sub Sahara Africa Medical Education Health Care Medical Students Computer File
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5786 , vital:44644 , https://doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000002003
Description: Purpose: African medical schools are expanding, straining resources at tertiary health facilities. Decentralizing clinical training can alleviate this tension. This study assessed the impact of decentralized training and contribution of undergraduate medical students at health facilities. Method: Participants were from 11 Medical Education Partnership Initiative-funded medical schools in 10 African countries. Each school identified two clinical training sites-one rural and the other either peri-urban or urban. Qualitative and quantitative data collection tools were used to gather information about the sites, student activities, and staff perspectives between March 2015 and February 2016. Interviews with site staff were analyzed using a collaborative directed approach to content analysis, and frequencies were generated to describe site characteristics and student experiences. Results: The clinical sites varied in level of care but were similar in scope of clinical services and types of clinical and nonclinical student activities. Staff indicated that students have a positive effect on job satisfaction and workload. Respondents reported that students improved the work environment, institutional reputation, and introduced evidence-based approaches. Students also contributed to perceived improvements in quality of care, patient experience, and community outreach. Staff highlighted the need for resources to support students. Conclusions: Students were seen as valuable resources for health facilities. They strengthened health care quality by supporting overburdened staff and by bringing rigor and accountability into the work environment. As medical schools expand, especially in low-resource settings, mobilizing new and existing resources for decentralized clinical training could transform health facilities into vibrant service and learning environments.
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Date Issued: 10-2017

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Acacia Karoo - Adelaide (South Arica)

- Pringle,Thomas (1789-1834)

Authors: Pringle,Thomas (1789-1834)
Date: 1822
Subjects: Acacia karroo -- South Africa -- Adelaide , Trees -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: mixed material , essay
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109175 , vital:33082
Description: Transcript: "1822 Thomas Pringle, 1835 April. In The Koonap River Valley, Adelaide, E.Cape. p.126. "Among the mimosa trees (i.e. thorntrees) sprinkled over the meadows, or lower bottoms, the traces of their (i.e. elephant) operations were not less apparent. Immense numbers of these trees had been torn out of the ground and placed in an inverted position in order to enable the animals to browse at their ease on their juicy roots which form a favourite part of their food. I observed that, in numerous instances, when the trees were of considerable size, The elephant had employed one of his tusks, exactly as he would use a crowbar, thrusting it under The roots to loosen their hold on The earth before he attempted to tear them up with his proboscis, many of the larger mimosas had resisted all their efforts, and, indeed, it is only after rains that they can successfully attempt the operation."
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Date Issued: 1822

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Illustrated souvenir of the Industrial and Arts Exhibition held at Grahamstown, December 1898 to January 1899

Date: 1899
Subjects: Commercial products South Africa Grahamstown History , Church buildings South Africa Grahamstown , Schools South Africa Grahamstown , Merchants South Africa Grahamstown , Buildings South Africa Grahamstown , South Africa History 1836-1909 , Grahamstown Literary and Social Institute , Bloukrans Bridge (Eastern Cape, South Africa) -- Pictorial works Pictorial works , Grahamstown (South Africa) Pictorial works
Language: English
Type: book , illustrated works , text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/107752 , vital:32887 , Cory Library for Humanities Research, Rhodes University Library, Grahamstown, South Africa
Description: This publication, dated 1899, serves as souvenir publication of the industrial and arts exhibition held at Grahamstown, Cape Colony, between December 1898 and January 1899.
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Date Issued: 1899

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Anniversary bulletin, 1943-1993: Unity Movement 50th year of struggle-and the struggle continues

- New Unity Movement

Authors: New Unity Movement
Date: 19--?
Subjects: New Unity Movement (South Africa) -- Periodicals , Labour -- South Africa -- Periodicals , South Africa -- Social conditions -- Periodicals , South Africa -- Politics and government -- Periodicals
Language: English
Type: text , book
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/75906 , vital:30481
Description: The Unity Movement was established in 1943 after long and hard struggles of the disfranchised oppressed people in South Africa against foreign domination by first the Dutch and then the British ruling classes. The Non-European Unity Movement (NEUM) as it was named was the first National liberation movement to base itself upon several most important principles and policies: (i) That there could be only ONE SOLUTION for all the people in South Africa to bring freedom, justice and peace. Thus the UNITY of the oppressed and exploited who were denied all citizenship rights was a vital necessity.(ii) That the ruling class and all its agents among us had done everything possible to prevent the oppressed from uniting in their struggles. They had used the tactics of divide-and-rule as a major weapon against our struggles. The struggle for UNITY was always to be one important answer to these divide-and-rule tactics.(iii) That the ruling class used the myths of "race" and the "inferiority" of persons of colour, language, "culture" and separate schools, housing areas, hospitals, churches, jobs, etc., etc., to divide people. The Unity Movement declared war on racism, tribalism and all forms of discrimination. It strove to educate and organise the oppressed to UNDERSTAND WHY AND HOW WE were oppressed. It also strove to teach the oppressed that only a united people could win the freedom struggle; the ruling class were always united; as a disunited people we could never win our liberation struggle. (iv) That our democratic rights had been known for centuries. But we must know them and demand ALL of them. Democracy could not exist if people had some democratic rights and lacked others. We had to know this because dishonest political activists used the masses to get privileges (concessions) for themselves while they pretended to struggle on behalf of the masses. There was a minimum we must always demand, but we could and must strive for even more. (v) That the oppressed were robbed of their land and their possessions (mainly livestock); their homes were destroyed. They were driven into labour camps and mission stations after these wars of dispossession. They were forced to work as cheap labour in the mines and on the farms and in the factories and homes of the conquerors. Landlessness was a feature of all colonies conquered by the warring colonial powers. Today these colonial powers form the basis of World Imperialism. This World Imperialism is the main enemy of every oppressed nation with a history of colonial conquest. It is imperialism that paid for and bought over the collaborators who have been in government since April 1994. But now that they are part of government the collaborators are paid out of the taxes they collect from workers and others they now help to oppress. (vi) That the struggle for the land by the combined unified efforts of workers, landless peasants and the rural poor was a vital part of our struggles. Victory here would help to root out unemployment, homes broken up by the migrant labour system, by a lack of education and necessary skills, poor health, starvation and lack of simple things like drinking water and proper sewage. Thus the struggle for the land (point 7 of our programme) and all the other 9 demands belonged together as part of ONE struggle. That in our struggle the interest of the workers, the landless peasantry and the millions of rural poor are our first concern. And that the struggle against foreign domination (that is, against World Imperialism) was part of our struggle for total liberation. In the light of these founding principles and policies it is clear that a "government of National Unity" set up by the de Klerk Government and World Imperialism (that is, the USA, Canada, Britain, Japan and the European Community) cannot bring liberation peace and justice to us. , Abantu bebanye abasoze boyiswe! = Abantu bemunye abasoze behlulwe!
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Date Issued: 19--?

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Forest patch on Lynedoch farm, Baviaans River Valley, Bedford

- Skead, C J (Cuthbert John)

Authors: Skead, C J (Cuthbert John)
Date: 19uu
Subjects: Trees -- South Africa , Deforestation -- South Africa -- Lynedoch Farm, Baviaans River Valley, Bedford , Lynedoch Farm, Baviaans River Valley, Bedford (South Africa)
Language: English
Type: mixed material , ephemera
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65780 , vital:28837
Description: Extract: “Forest Patch on LYNEDOCH farm, Baviaans River Valley, Bedford. This small patch of what can best be described as Woodland/ Forest by virtue of its hybrid condition as influenced by man's chopping activities down the years, lies at the head of what is called Grootkloof on this farm, and is the last patch of such forest up this otherwise dry valley in which the lower slopes receive a much lower precipitation than the upper heights under which the patch of forest persists by virtue of the extra moisture it receives from passing cloud. The forest patch is 27 km NW of Bedford town, and at about 1 000 m a.s.l.”
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Date Issued: 19uu

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Gardens Youth Congress: proposed code of conduct for Gayco activists

- Gardens Youth Congress

Authors: Gardens Youth Congress
Date: 19--?
Subjects: Youth -- Political activity -- South Africa , Gardens Youth Congress -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa , Youth -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: text , book
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76194 , vital:30519
Description: The aim of this Code of Conduct for activists is to provide a set of basic guidelines as to how activists and members of our organization should conduct themselves; both inside and outside the organization. We feel that it is important in 2 respects: (i) It highlights the dangers of negative tendencies and the desirability of good qualities. In this way we hope to improve the quality of activists involvement in our organization by providing them with a set of rules and methods that will allow them to achieve their political goals easily and effectively. (ii) Activists represent not only their own organization but the cause of the national democratic struggle in general. As such, the way we behave and conduct ourselves reflects on this cause. Activists must therefore be seen to act in a comradely, disciplined and democratic fashion. It must be pointed out that although this code of conduct applies to all members of our organization it is obviously more relevant to those activists who play an active role in the decision making process, regularly come to meetings and volunteer for the different tasks at hand.
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Date Issued: 19--?

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Implementing training for racial equality: for multi-cultural South Africa

- AZAAD Race Consultant

Authors: AZAAD Race Consultant
Date: 19--?
Subjects: Cultural awareness -- South Africa -- Handbooks, manuals, etc. , Racism -- South Africa , Equality -- South Africa , Seminars -- Handbooks, manuals, etc.
Language: English
Type: text , book
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/75993 , vital:30490
Description: The commitment of Azaad as a Race Consultancy is:- To ensure quality of opportunity for South Africans to fulfil their potential as Empowered Individuals and members of groups and communities; To Educate, enabling South Africans to gain skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to identify, advocate and pursue their rights and responsibilities as individuals and as members of groups and communities locally, nationally and internationally; Designed to create Equal Opportunity-through the challenging of oppression and the celebration of the differences which springs from culture, language, sexual identity, gender, disability, age, religion, and class; To Participate through voluntary relationship with other South Africans in which White and Black South Africans are partners in the learning process and decision making structures which affect their own and other peoples lives; To Empower- Supporting South Africans to understand and act on the personal, social and political issues which affect their lives, the lives of others and the communities they are part of; To Build resources will be a major effort of Azaad as a Race Consultancy. It is our intention to extend the objectives of all racial, cultural, religious, national, ethnic, sexual and political affiliations. All this will be delivered through informal education, through workshops, short courses, seminars, conferences, role play, etc.
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Date Issued: 19--?

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Regional educators’ workshop on trade union history in South Africa

Date: 19--?
Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa -- History , Labour movement -- South Africa -- History
Language: English
Type: text , pamphlet
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112014 , vital:33538
Description: The sun is beginning to rise on the workers. Fears of intimidation and victimisation are being dried up by this rising sun of workers strength. I tell this story to remind you of your life. I tell you this story so you will remember your struggle and the story of the struggle we fight. AMANDLA! I came to the urban areas with someone from home. I found the city a strange and ugly place. Finding work was not an easy task. But I found work at the foundry called Rely Precision Castings and I worked there for over seven years until May 1980 when Management fired all of us because of a strike. The work in the foundry was hard and dangerous and the hours were long. But I stuck out the tough and unsafe working conditions because there was no other place to go. We were the only people who could do this kind of work, and this was well known to our employers. Many of them knew migrant workers were the best workers. We were also prepared to do the heaviest of work. But they still treated us badly and still didn’t treat us like human beings but like animals. They knew that as soon as they expelled us we would lose a place of residence, because we would not be able to pay the hostel fees without the money we earned. Then the pass office would be indifferent and instruct us to go back where we came from. That is very painful. But what is more painful is this. It is clear that profits mean more to the bosses than our lives. Our children could die in the countryside but they would still fire us. Our work was tough, especially after the new machine was bought by the bosses in the foundry. But we were not afraid of hard work. We did not complain about the work. The grievances were about those things that prevented us from doing our work. The bad and unsafe working conditions were dangerous to our health and lives. These things are important. But most of our grievances at Rely were about the bad treatment we received from the indunas and foremen. The indunas did not support us when the struggle for better wages and working conditions began. They were only concerned with organising things in the foundry which made their own lives easier. The indunas at Rely were supposed to be the workers’ voice but we have seen that this was not true. So we had no voice. We could not make our complaints heard. That makes a person very angry. And so my fellow workers and I decided to do something about this. We began to stand together and build workers’ strength and unity in the foundry. Our combined strength would be a very loud and confident voice. One day one of us suddenly said: "There is a place that can help us." This worker had been to the Union with his brother-in-law who works at another factory. We wanted to know what that could be. We said we knew a union called ‘Let-us-bury-each-other’. This is a union that cheats people. They say when you have given a lot of money to them then they will build you a big house or buy you a car. The guy said, ‘No. that’s not what I mean.’ ‘It’s a place to go as we are not being treated well in the firm. When we all join they will represent us. They will speak to the employers.’ At first many of the workers at Rely were scared about joining the Union. Others were cautious. We first started joining in twos and threes until we were thirty. The meetings we had with the Union organiser were important. We talked and discussed problems for a long time on Saturday afternoons. Inside the foundry there was even more talk and discussion. During lunchtimes meetings were held over the road from the foundry under the shade of a tree. At these meetings everybody had a chance to speak. Some people wanted to move quickly, while others were more cautious. Some people were afraid for their families and others did not want to lose their jobs in the foundry. Many workers had worked at Rely for a long time and had good service records and so we were hesitant. The discussion was often long and serious. Slowly the fear began to get less as people learned more about the Union from friends and relatives in other factories. Some of these factories were already organised. But it was the meetings among ourselves which helped the most. In the evenings also, at the hostels, people discussed Union business and one thing began to become very clear. Everyone had to stand together and speak with one voice if we were going to be strong inside Rely. After many meetings and much talking we decided there would never be safe conditions if everyone did not join the Union. Wages would never rise without the force of all the workers. But when the indunas saw unity among the workers they were afraid. We even told them that through this unity their postions would soon end. Our unity had already begun to change things in the foundry. The bosses and their children, the impimpis and indunas, were not so sure of their position and began to fear workers. This was happening all over the East Rand where the Metal and Allied Workers Union was building workers’ unity. (In May 1979, the workers went on strike.) We stopped work to ask Management why they fired Zondiwe. Our bosses did not know what to do when 55 workers stood in front of them to protect Zondiwe. They called the Employers’ Association. They called the Department of Labour. They called the police. We were a small group of people. They tried to crush us. But we fought them all in different ways. We were unemployed. And when you are out of a job, you realise that the boss and the government have the power to condemn you to death. If they send you back home, and back home now there’s a drought, and you can’t get any new job, it’s a death sentence. The countryside is pushing you into the cities to stay alive; the cities are pushing you into the countryside to die. You get scared. It’s a fear that you come to know after a week without any food. After six weeks we all went to court. The court found us all guilty of striking illegally. We were all fined. But the Union paid the fines from the subscriptions. We had been fired from our jobs. We had been beaten by the SAP and now we were guilty of striking. We were very sad but we were not defeated. We continued our struggle. Our struggle at Rely was important. We are not afraid to say it. We showed how even a small group for workers can stand up against the bosses. And it was important in another way as well. Our strike was the first in our big strike wave which hit the East Rand. From 1980 and 1981 many, many thousands of us metal workers went on strike. We were not alone in our struggle. It was not just 55 of us at Rely. Our struggle was in May 1980. By the end of that year there were 12 000 in our Union, the Metal and Allied Workers Union. The next year was the year of strikes. From July until the end of 1981 many of our fellow metal workers went on strike. There were 50 strikes. There were 25 000 of us on strike. Next time we will be united. At Rely our struggle started when we united. But in the factory it ended when we were not united to our brothers in other factories. But we have learned. And you too. You must not make the same mistake. The big factories must help the small one. If you are organised in a trade union when you go on strike, unite with those who are not organised. Together call the communities to our side. Then we will be united. And we know that when we make our unity, the sun shall rise for the workers.
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Date Issued: 19--?

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Socio-economic processes in the rural areas of Region E

- May, Julian

Authors: May, Julian
Date: 19--?
Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa , Income distribution -- South Africa , Household surveys -- South Africa , Rural poor -- South Africa , South Africa -- Rural conditions
Language: English
Type: text , book
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/75421 , vital:30416
Description: The social conditions in the rural areas of South Africa are by now widely known and numerous researchers have documented the poverty stricken quality of life which generally prevails amongst black families in these areas (Wilson and Ramphele, 1989). The vast majority of rural households have incomes which are below subsistence levels and in the Homelands, agricultural productive ability has become so eroded that rural household income is now chiefly derived from remittances from migrants in the towns or from the wages of farm labourers (Nattrass and May, 1986). As such, at present the majority of black rural households living in Region E make up consumer communities which must purchase the majority of their subsistence needs, rather than producer communities in which subsistence needs can be met from the utilisation of local resources (Derman and Poultney, 1983). Despite this unpromising situation, the diminishing importance of agricultural production to the South African national economy (Bethlehem, 1989), and the dominance of urbanisation as a social force, it can be argued that the rural areas of Region E will be directly and substantially affected by efforts to restructure the South African economy as a whole. Consequently, revitalising the rural economy in a restructured social and economic system would be a concern in itself, even though the effect of this for a future growth path for South Africa may be uncertain (Kaplinsky, 1991:54). The report will first examine the broad demographic changes in Region E noting the impact of these changes on the rural areas. Thereafter, the economic processes which characterise the rural areas will be discussed, in particular, employment, income levels and income distribution. This will feed into a discussion of the social processes which will include changing dynamics of migration, and a socio-economic profile of rural households. The paper concludes by briefly examining access and usage of basic services and facilities in the rural parts of Region E.
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Date Issued: 19--?

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