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“The Age of Hope” Aspects of the 2006 State of the Nation Address
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Date added: 07/28/2008 |
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On 3 February President Thabo Mbeki delivered his State of the Nation Address at the opening of Parliament. The President emphasized the successes that have taken place since the advent of democracy and his view that people are hopeful for the years to come. In order to realize the ‘Age of Hope’, where a better life for all citizens will be achieved, the President invited the government, the business sector, the trade union movement and civil society to work together to achieve a common vision for promoting rising levels of growth, investment, job creation and people-centred development. |
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‘All South Africans will reap the fruit of Economic Growth’ 2006 BUDGET
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Date added: 07/28/2008 |
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The 2006 Budget was presented by the Minister of Finance, Trevor Manuel, to Parliament on 15th February. As always, the budget speech was the nation's main opportunity to learn what the State’s detailed plan is for acquiring and using financial and other resources over the next three years, but more specifically for the 2006/07 financial year. As far as the government’s priorities for this period are concerned, the 2006 Budget did not bring any real surprises. Once again, there was substantial tax-relief for middle- and high-income earners and a modest increase in social spending for the poor. Mr Manuel said that this budget spreads to benefit everyone; it has a higher public spending aspect as it aims at giving life and meaning to the ‘Age of Hope’ that President Thabo Mbeki mentioned in his State of the Nation speech. According to the Minister, the 2006 budget prioritises the needs of the poor. This briefing paper summarises the main points of the 2006 Budget and tries to see it through the eyes of the poor and the marginalised, such as Mr Nxumalo of Khayelitsha. Mr Nxumalo[1] is 50 years old, unemployed and poor. Furthermore, he is taking care of two orphans who are 15 and 17 years old. Mr Nxumalo’s family clearly heard the Minister of Finance saying in their mother tongue “Umnotho wakuleli ukhulile, ngakhoke asivuneni, inala ifikile!” (“This is the year of plenty, when all South Africans will reap the fruits of economic growth”). The truth of that statement is the ultimate test of the Budget. [1] 'Mr Nxumalo' represents anyone who is poor, unemployed and marginalised, and who may gain or lose depending on government's revenue and expenditure policies. |
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THE MEDIUM TERM BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT 2005
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Date added: 07/28/2008 |
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Towards the end of 2005 the Minister of Finance tabled the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Parliament. The government, like many organisations, budgets its income and expenditure according to a set of priorities developed from the requirements of its various policies. In addition, government budgeting must adhere to the Constitution, which states: “National, provincial and municipal budgets and budgetary processes must promote transparency, accountability and the effective financial management of the economy, debt and the public sector” (section 215). The MTBPS, which is the subject of this briefing paper, is one of the many statutory processes that the national budget undergoes. |
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The Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) Amendment Bill
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Date added: 07/28/2008 |
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The recent history of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) can be traced back to 1977, when “the agricultural biotechnology research and development effort was still in a pre-natal stage”[1]. In referring to GMOs we are speaking about “recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology [which] has allowed scientists to move genes across species’ boundaries, to create traits in plants, animals, and micro organisms that could never be accomplished using traditional crossbreeding techniques. For example, genes from cold-water fish can be inserted into tomato plants to make them more tolerant to colder weather”[2]. [1] Berry, W. (1977). The Unsettling of America. Sierra Club Books, San Francisco. [2] Burkhardt, J. (2002). The GMO debates: Taking ethics seriously, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida |
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The Further Education and Training Colleges Act
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Date added: 07/28/2008 |
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“The natural law also gives man the right to share in the benefits of culture, and therefore the right to a basic education and to technical and professional training in keeping with the stage of educational development in the country to which he belongs”[1]. [1] Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) Pope John XXIII, 1963 |
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South Africa as a Development State (1808)