SOCIAL AND DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS: CHANGE REQUIRED IN SOUTH AFRICA – A WEAK RAND IS NOT THE PANACEA TO FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC WOES

Abstract

The paper poses the question as to whether the African National Congress (ANC) an be considered as the party for change having governed South Africa for twenty years, since the dawn of democracy in 1994, given the general elections that are to take place in May of 2014. It argues that although it was the revolutionary party that ushered in democracy in 1994, it is no longer the party for change. It appears to be worn out. In exemplifying this important aspect the paper will discuss certain characteristics of the state and government under its twenty year rule, such as election promises, good governance problems, human rights issues, Judicial accountability, unspent cash and water problems, basic educational resources, subsistence farmers and poor implementation, a frail currency and effects on productivity, and economic and enduring inequalities. The paper synthesizes the thought processes of various articles and the authors therefore project on these salient issues within the body of this paper. The paper does not exhaust the issues enumerated above and does not pretend to do so. It however, opens up a serious debate and does not impinge upon the analysis of other writers. It is hoped that the paper will open up a platform for sound and reasoned academic debate and discussion.