DISCUSS ANY FOUR FACTORS THAT CONSTITUTE DEVELOPMENT ILLUSTRATING EACH WITH EXAMPLES FROM THE S.A CONTEXT.

Development is defined as the progress or transformation which occurs socially, economically, and politically. It is not uni-dimensional but constitutes growth, structural change, and disruptive equity.

 Development is constituted by the following factors:

1. Growth and Structural Change – Development requires growth and structural change because the economy’s activities shift from primary to secondary and then tertiary sector. The national income of the less developed countries is generated from the primary sector which includes mining, fishing, and agriculture. The developing countries make their national income from the secondary factor which includes manufacturing raw materials to finished goods and services. The highly developed countries have high income and control the tertiary sector such as telecommunications, mass media, health care. (STATS SA, 02 JAN 2018) Proves that the key sectors that keep the engine of South Africa’s economy running includes manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, finance services, agriculture, mining, transport, and tourism.
2. Distribution of income – An even distribution of income would be a one step closer to development in the country. This means more people receiving an income than before. Though development does not guarantee because inequality increases with the growth. “The poorest in South Africa benefit from social spending programs. About 70% of outlays on social grants and 54% of spending on education and health go to the poorest half of the population in South Africa. The child support grant and old age pension make the largest impact on poverty. Fiscal policy is progressive and works to reduce inequality. By taxing the income of the rich proportionally more than the poor and using social spending to boost the incomes of the poorest more than 10-fold, fiscal policy narrows the income gap between the rich and poor” (World Bank, November 3, 2014).

3. Demographical Transitions – This is to provide proper hygiene and sanitation to regulate the death rates. The death rate will approach death rate. The better access to birth control and family planning services, decrease in infant mortality and more opportunities of employment even for women.

4. Improvement in education and health – Education is fundamental and there has been a progress towards the education and health infrastructure. Investing in education and health guarantees the progress of the country.