1.8 Drawing up a budget  (Page 2/3)

This is against the law and this accident has opened the door for the department of labour to commence a test case against the owners.

Waronice’s story hit the headlines and has placed emphasis on child labour on South African farms.

During the past week, the court has found the company, Daytona Stud Farms (Pty) Ltd, guilty on a count of having employed children younger than fifteen years. The company was handed a fine for R25 000, of which R 10 000 was suspended for four years.

Waronice, who is in grade 8 now, fell between a tractor and a trailer and was dragged along for more than 25 m.

She remembers, “We were tired of working. We then decided to take a lift home on the tractor. Nobody told us that we were not allowed to ride on the tractor.”

She lost her balance when the tractor drove through a pothole.

Waronice was one of a group of children whose parents had asked whether their children could work on the farm for pocket money during the school holidays. All of them earned R6 for a “half day” and R15 for a “whole day” for packing peaches.

Mr Mike Barnard, who appeared on behalf of the company, said during the week in court that although he knew about the law on child labour, he had not been aware of the “broad definition” of it.

Extenuating circumstances put forward by the farm management held that Waronice had been taken to hospital after the accident and that the farm had paid for the artificial leg.

The court further heard that the company had established a Waronice Trust Fund and that this has already reached R20 000.

A civil case could still be instituted against the company.

In the meantime Waronice says that she is not angry with anyone. Although she cannot take part in sport any more, she can still listen to music.

Mr Nicholaas Bezuidenhout, Waronice’s grandfather, says, “ I feel that the law has taken its course. I am not angry with the owners of the farm. We cannot afford to hate the people.”

From: Rapport , 10 February 2002

What is your opinion with regard to child labour / working to earn pocket money?

Although there are laws prohibiting child labour, many in South Africa who are under the age of 15 have to work to earn money to support their families.

Discuss each of the following situations and decide whether they are acceptable or not. Write down your reasons.

Situation A: John delivers newspapers in the early morning. He saves the money that he earns so that he will be able to go to university one day.

Situation B: Carina’s parents cannot afford to keep her at school. She left school and started working in a butchery to help support her family.

[LO 2.2]

1. Problem 3: What do you do with excess money?

Background

Complete : Excess money that you invest for later use is called ......................

Doing this is good, because it ensures that you have money for emergencies, to provide security and for a living when you are not able to work any longer.

There are two main ways in which to save. You can save your money in a piggy bank at home, or you can open a savings account with a financial institution.