<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

These problems of urbanisation caused the government of the time to start moving away from apartheid.

The pre-election period (from 1990 when Mandela was freed up to the general elections of 1994) was characterised by violence. The ANC and Inkhata Freedom Party (IFP) were involved in a struggle for control of the state.

The pre-election period was complicated even further by economical problems. The downward trend in the economic growth that had already begun in 1980, dropped to negative figures when the economy started to shrink, at a stage when the population was growing at 2,5% per year. The number of people who had to find jobs was increasing, while job opportunities were decreasing. Approximately one out of every three persons was unemployed. The new government implemented the so-called Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). This programme was and is still aimed at mobilising the country’s people and its resources to eradicate apartheid and build a democratic, non-racial an non-sexist future.

In 1994 the economy was growing with 2,3%. Many people believed that the new government’s economic policy and discipline would soon address the development priorities of South Africa. However, the legacy of apartheid as mentioned earlier, remains a factor which will determine to what extent the state and society will succeed in meeting the objectives of the RDP.

3. Environmental needs and violent conflict

There are three kinds of environmental needs:

Availability-driven shortages resulting from the impoverishment and depletion of an environmental resource, for example the erosion of land which is suitable for cultivation.

Demand-driven shortages resulting from population growth in a specific area or the growing per capita utilisation of a resource, which then leads to an increased demand for that resource.

Structural shortages resulting when the utilisation of a resource is controlled by a small group of people, while the rest of the population suffer a serious shortage.

The three kinds of shortages often occur at the same time and influence one another. Some of the most common consequences include:

a decrease in agricultural productivity;

economic deterioration;

migration from areas experiencing environmental shortages; and

a deterioration of institutions.

Such shortages and their effects on society can lead to complaints and grievances, which may eventually result in civil violence if two additional factors are present:

Groups with strong collective or unifying identities that might coincide to challenge the state.

Opportunities for violent action against authorities that hold obvious advantages.

This means that grievances may lead to civil rebellion if the dissatisfied parties see themselves as members of groups that can stand together, and if they believe that the best way to address their grievances successfully, includes violence.

Grievances may cause people to stand together because they identify with one another, as they share the same grievances.

Civil violence is an indication of tension between the state and society. If groups in society are of the opinion that the state reacts to their grievances, the level of dissatisfaction with the state remains low.

Environmental shortages upset this delicate balance between state and society. A decrease in agricultural production, urbanisation and economic deteriorisation often lead to hardship. On the other hand it also hampers the state’s ability to address the grievances in an appropriate manner because of a decrease in state income. This results in poor communication and interaction between the state and society, and eventually the state loses its legitimacy, while it is no longer representative of society and it stops being sensitive to society.

As long as this situation is allowed to prevail, grievances continue, which may eventually be expressed in deeds of crime.

Assessment

Learning outcomes (LO)
LO 2
GEOGRAPHICAL KNOWLEDGE AND COMPREHENSION The learner can demonstrate geographical and environmental knowledge and comprehension.
Assessment standards(AS)
This is clear when the learner:
2.1 presents a well-argued explanation of some approaches to development [people and places].
LO 3
INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEMS The learner can take informed decisions on social and environmental issues and problems.
This is clear when the learner:
3.1 identifies social and environmental conflicts in South Africa and compares it with other contexts [identifies the problem];
3.3 analyses the reason for differences or conflicts [makes choices].

Questions & Answers

what is mutation
Janga Reply
what is a cell
Sifune Reply
how is urine form
Sifune
what is antagonism?
mahase Reply
classification of plants, gymnosperm features.
Linsy Reply
what is the features of gymnosperm
Linsy
how many types of solid did we have
Samuel Reply
what is an ionic bond
Samuel
What is Atoms
Daprince Reply
what is fallopian tube
Merolyn
what is bladder
Merolyn
what's bulbourethral gland
Eduek Reply
urine is formed in the nephron of the renal medulla in the kidney. It starts from filtration, then selective reabsorption and finally secretion
onuoha Reply
State the evolution relation and relevance between endoplasmic reticulum and cytoskeleton as it relates to cell.
Jeremiah
what is heart
Konadu Reply
how is urine formed in human
Konadu
how is urine formed in human
Rahma
what is the diference between a cavity and a canal
Pelagie Reply
what is the causative agent of malaria
Diamond
malaria is caused by an insect called mosquito.
Naomi
Malaria is cause by female anopheles mosquito
Isaac
Malaria is caused by plasmodium Female anopheles mosquitoe is d carrier
Olalekan
a canal is more needed in a root but a cavity is a bad effect
Commander
what are pathogens
Don Reply
In biology, a pathogen (Greek: πάθος pathos "suffering", "passion" and -γενής -genēs "producer of") in the oldest and broadest sense, is anything that can produce disease. A pathogen may also be referred to as an infectious agent, or simply a germ. The term pathogen came into use in the 1880s.[1][2
Zainab
A virus
Commander
Definition of respiration
Muhsin Reply
respiration is the process in which we breath in oxygen and breath out carbon dioxide
Achor
how are lungs work
Commander
where does digestion begins
Achiri Reply
in the mouth
EZEKIEL
what are the functions of follicle stimulating harmones?
Rashima Reply
stimulates the follicle to release the mature ovum into the oviduct
Davonte
what are the functions of Endocrine and pituitary gland
Chinaza
endocrine secrete hormone and regulate body process
Achor
while pituitary gland is an example of endocrine system and it's found in the Brain
Achor
what's biology?
Egbodo Reply
Biology is the study of living organisms, divided into many specialized field that cover their morphology, physiology,anatomy, behaviour,origin and distribution.
Lisah
biology is the study of life.
Alfreda
Biology is the study of how living organisms live and survive in a specific environment
Sifune
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Geography grade 9. OpenStax CNX. Sep 14, 2009 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11057/1.1
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Geography grade 9' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask