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“Parliament: The Voice Of The People - Realising A Better Life For All” ASPECTS OF THE 2005 STATE OF
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Date added: 07/28/2008 |
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On 11 February President Thabo Mbeki delivered his State of the Nation Address at the opening of Parliament. The speech focused on the huge delivery backlogs that threaten to undermine the aim of 'a better life for all', but also highlighted the successes achieved by government so far and set out the targets that it intends to meet in 2005 and beyond. If the government is to deliver on its promises, it will have to tackle poor service delivery in 144 municipalities, half of total number of municipalities in the country. Clearly, national government needs to assist local government more than ever before, but it must also respect the principle of subsidiarity and refrain from simply 'taking over' the powers and responsibilities of town councils. |
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VIRGINITY TESTING: IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD?
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Date added: 07/28/2008 |
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The proposed Children’s Bill states that every child has the right not to be subjected to social, cultural and religious practices that are detrimental to his or her well-being. Virginity testing is regarded by many as just such a practice, and has been one of the most controversial issues in the slow progress of the Bill through Parliament. Clause 12 of the Bill prohibits virginity testing, as well as genital mutilation of female children, more commonly known as female circumcision. The Bill has recently been approved by the National Assembly; however, the National Council of Provinces raised objections and called for the revision of certain clauses including those regarding virginity testing. This briefing paper considers the question of whether virginity testing is a harmful cultural practice or an important rite of passage and an affirmation of traditional values. But, while we deal with this relatively narrow question, we are also exploring the broader problem that can arise when traditional and deeply-held beliefs appear to clash with the values of a liberal constitution premised on the sanctity of individual human rights. |
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TRANSFORMATION IN THE JUDICIARY
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Date added: 07/28/2008 |
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IDASA recently hosted a two-day discussion on the ‘Judiciary in a Changing Terrain’ which came at the same time as the controversies about racism in the Western Cape legal fraternity and the release of the ‘Report and Recommendations on Sexism and Racism Adopted by the Heads of Courts’. Before the first democratic elections in 1994 there were two white female judges, two black male judges and the rest were all white males. As of this year, while some change has occurred, the face of the judiciary is still largely white and male. 96 out of 198 judges in the superior courts are white men; there are 50 African, 8 coloured and 16 Indian male judges; and 28 are female- 12 white, 8 African, 3 coloured and 5 Indian[1]. The issue of transformation in the judiciary is controversial at the best of times because it involves balancing the need to redress the distortions of the past with the independence of the judiciary. On the one hand government wants to ensure that ‘the racial and gender composition of South Africa [is] considered when judicial officers are appointed’[2] while the judiciary favours self-regulation and is weary of any and all forms of perceived interference in the judicial sphere of government by the legislative or executive branches of state. [1] Melinda Crous, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development gave these statistics as of 5 May 2005, quoted by in ‘Debating the Transformation of the Judiciary: Rhetoric and Substance’ PIMS (IDASA) ePolitics, Edition 03, 2005. [2] Section 174(2) of the Constitution. |
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The Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons
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Date added: 07/28/2008 |
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The problems in our prisons are well-documented and the solutions to these involve all sectors of society. While there is much that still needs to be done, it is important to look at what measures and structures are already in place to deal with the situation. This Briefing Paper looks at the Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons and some of the challenges that it faces. |
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THE 2005/6 BUDGET REVIEW
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Date added: 07/28/2008 |
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It is generally accepted that South Africa faces a legacy of serious disparities in income, a high unemployment rate and widespread poverty. In broad economic terms the country has been doing fairly well for the last few years: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth has been steady, personal taxes have been decreased, inflation is under control and the currency is strong. While, ordinarily, these indicators would signal an economic success-story, the problems noted above have not been significantly alleviated; we have not been able to translate economic growth and stability into 'good news' for the poor. Against this background, on 23rd February Finance Minister Trevor Manuel unveiled this year’s budget and government's spending plans for the next two years. According to Mr Manuel, this budget tries to help all who live in South Africa: “In this Budget, the focus is more for all, not more for some and a hell of a lot more for a few, but spread across all of South Africa”. Improvements in the economy, together with greater internal efficiency, have enabled the South African Revenue Service to collect more revenue than expected. In turn, government has been able to increase its allocations to education, health, land restitution, water, sanitation, social grants, transport and electricity. A package of tax cuts has also been announced, which ought to stimulate further economic growth. This briefing paper tries to analyse the budget through the eyes of Catholic Social Teaching, where the emphasis is on the poor and the marginalised. What is there in the budget for them and how will it address their daily problems? |
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South Africa as a Development State (1808)