Learning Activity

Discuss any four factors that constitute development illustrating each with examples from the SA context.

Improvements in education and health

Development implies fulfilment of basic human needs, such as education and health. According to the Constitution of South Africa, every person has the right to basic education and primary health care. This is to improve the quality of lives of South Africans and to fight poverty. The South African government has put measures in place to fight poverty, such as skills development programs, National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), free education, etc.

Growth and structural change

Development requires growth as well as structural change and the main focus of an economy’s activity shifts from the primary, through the secondary and finally to the tertiary sector. I believe that South Africa is somewhere between the early stage of development and medium stage, because there are still providing the raw material from nature (such as fruits and vegetables from the farms) and use secondary raw materials to produce certain products (such as electricity).

Political transformation

Political growth must accompany economic and socio-cultural growth, referred to as development democracy. Development require democracy. South Africa is a democratic country and its government is striving to grow the economy and improves the lives of the citizens. During the apartheid era, there was inequalities and discrimination but the democratic government is fighting against any kind of discrimination and inequalities.

Democratic characteristics

Development brings about the improvements in hygiene and sanitation and corresponding decrease in death rates. Development results in liberation of women. These improvements result in the high birth rate and low death rate. In South Africa, every person has the right to live.