Not enough done since '94

2008-10-01 19:18

Pretoria - Halfway through the second decade of democracy, not enough has been done to address trends in poverty, inequality and state legitimacy, the Presidency said on Wednesday.

Launching the Towards a 15-year Review, Head of Policy Co-ordination and Advisory Services, Joel Netshitenzhe, said the challenges identified five years ago had proved more "deep-seated" than was previously recognised.

Growth not enough

Netshitenzhe said that while the country had gone a long way to eradicating apartheid and had "notched up" a faster rate of growth and development, with the successes new challenges had emerged.

"Growth has exposed weaknesses... the increase in the rate of growth does not necessarily result in a reduction in poverty."

Nor had growth reduced inequality, he said.

"The state has had to learn new ways of doing things as it implemented, but not always have these been decisive and flexible enough."

'Big push' possible

Netshitenzhe said South Africa could continue on the path that it followed, ensuring some progress, but barely denting structural ills.

These included economic structure, massive unemployment among youth and the unskilled, inequality, poor quality in some social services, and trends in violent crime.

"With this, society will plod on with occasional social instability.

"The question is whether there is a possibility for a big push based on broad national consensus, propelling the totality of national endeavours towards better social impact."

He said the review suggested there was such a possibility and that it depended on a number of conditions, including the agency of various social actors.

"Success will require a decisive state with higher levels of legitimacy, and a more cohesive society, together prepared to pursue a common vision and make the necessary adaptions and choices between priorities when the need arises."

- SAPA