Class Activity 5:

Growth and structure changes:

For development to be successful there must be growth as well as structural changes. Most important activities of economy shift from the primary sector all through to the tertiary sector. People who live in less developed countries do not have many opportunities to work in the secondary and tertiary sector that means that it can not adequately contribute to the growth of the countries economy status.

Example: South Africa started getting this right when late President Mandela and his cabinet created a vibrant economy, other Southern Africa countries still struggled and we saw an influx of migrants from other African countries to South Africa

Political Transformation:

Political growth must lead to economic and social – cultural development. Economic and social – cultural growth refers to democracy development. Africa development has not been equal to political freedom. The nation has been criticized for its lack of democratic transformation.

Example: Some rulers in Africa has been in power for a very long time which results in dictatorship rather than democracy. Zimbabwe is one such example where the previous ruler Robert Mugabe rules for 42 years.

Demographic Transitions:

Improves the hygiene and sanitation that leads to lower death rates. It also resulted into the emancipation of woman that resulted into a decrease in birth rates resulting in a demographic transition from high birth rates and low death rates and finally to low birth rates and death rates at the highest stages of development.

Example: one example of this is the rising middle class in Africa where a whole new demographic has the opportunity to have access to improved infrastructure, houses etc.

Improvements in education and health:

Due to the changes that are made in the structure of economy lead to increase in the process of education and health infrastructure. Education and heath play a big role of the development of a county.

Example: Since 1994 in South Africa 281 schools were built in rural areas and townships where people previously did not have access to formal educational infrastructure