Run-up to the reconstruction and development programme

Economic and management systems

Grade 8

Sustainable growth and development

Module 1

Run-up to the reconstruction and development programme (rdp)

South African history is characterised by colonialism, racism, apartheid, sexism and repressive labour and other legislation that has dominated over the economic and social environment since the country was founded in 1652. These factors resulted in deep-seated inequalities in the South African community, which led to revolutionary resistance towards the end of the 20 ^th century, and eventually to the establishment of a democratically elected government in 1994.

Activity 1: colonialism

Group:

Discuss your understanding of the concept COLONIALISM and name examples from other parts of the world where countries / states were colonized. Also indicate which states were involved in the colonization of Africa and South Africa. Which “inequalities” arose in South Africa on account of colonization?

• Provide a brief report for your presentation to the class. Write this report on a folio. After the class discussion, write a brief summary:

Activity 2: racism

Group:

Discuss your understanding of the concept RACISM and explain how this affects everyday life. What do you regard as the main disadvantages of racism, i.e. which “inequalities” resulted from it in South Africa? Does racism occur in other countries?

• Provide a brief report for presentation to the class.

Activity 3: apartheid

Group:

Discuss your understanding of the concept APARTHEID. why did it arise and what were the implications for South African society, i.e. which “inequalities” resulted from apartheid in South Africa?

• Provide a brief report for presentation to the class.

Activity 4: sexism

Group:

Explain what you understand the concept SEXISM to mean and indicate what you see as disadvantages related to it, i.e. which “inequalities” have arisen in South Africa because of sexism.

• Provide a brief report for presentation to the class.

Activity 5: repressive legislation

Group:

Explain how you understand the concept REPRESSIVE LEGISLATION and provide examples of such legislation that was enforced on the South African community by the previous government. Which “inequalities” were established by such legislation in South Africa?

• Provide a brief report for presentation to the class.

Activity 6: summative analysis

SELF:

each learner is required to provide a written analysis of each of the above concepts, under the headings given below. A neat presentation of TWO pages, at most, must be prepared and handed in and a brief summary must be entered: [LO 2.1

1. Analysis of concepts.

2. Examples to illustrate the concepts.

3. Effects on the social and employment environment in South Africa.

To deal with these “problems”, the present government instituted the RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (RDP) in 1994. This programme was meant to fulfil the following broad principles, which were aimed at eliminating “inequalities”.

It had to be:

1. an integrated and sustainable programme (i.e. everyone was to be included)