The development status of women in South Africa: Patterns and progress in the provinces

The development status of women in South Africa declined between 1996 and 2001. This study examined whether the decline was pervasive throughout the nine provinces, and whether any development patterns were apparent among the provinces. The findings revealed that women had lost ground across the board, both in absolute terms and relative to men. They also showed that certain ranking patterns prevailed among the nine provinces and, notably, that women in provinces with pre-existing poor development statuses may also be predisposed to a poor development status relative to men. This double burden may translate into a perpetuation of poverty for women who find themselves in these provinces.     

Changes in the development status of women in South Africa from 1996 to 2001: for the better or for the worse?

The adoption of the 1996 Constitution mainstreamed women's issues in South Africa, but, despite the commendable progress in this sphere over the past ten years, success is only discernible if it translates into the betterment of women's lives. This paper aims to ascertain whether the development status of women improved or worsened between 1996 and 2001 by employing a gender-adjusted human development index (HDI). To offset the limitations of an aggregate measure, while compensating for the potentially distorting effects of HIV/AIDS on an aggregate human development indicator, a framework of supporting measures of well-being is also analysed to augment and validate the findings of the gender-specific HDI. The study finds that between 1996 and 2001 the development status of women in South Africa regressed, in both absolute and (especially) relative terms.     

‘Fit to play’: Labour market behaviour in a cohort of public-sector antiretroviral treatment patients

Given the rapid scale-up of antiretroviral treatment (ART), it is necessary to explore the impact of ART on labour force participation, employment and labour productivity. This article investigates labour market outcomes in a prospective cohort of public-sector ART clients in the Free State province of South Africa. Empirical results suggest that labour force participation increased markedly as the proportion of those too ill to work declined, becoming indistinguishable from participation rates in the general population. Unemployment rates, however, remain above those reported for the general population. ART and its health-related benefits therefore translate into increases in labour force participation, but not employment. Employment status at HIV diagnosis strongly predicts absorption in the labour force. Public-sector ART clients should be referred to vocational rehabilitation and occupational therapy programmes, and to welfare-to-work programmes, and the unskilled to adult education and training and further education and training programmes.     

Economic bargaining power and financial decision-making among married and cohabitant women in South Africa

Women’s economic empowerment remains an important global policy issue and their involvement in household decision-making is critical for development. This paper aims to elucidate a key feature of bargaining models of intra-household decision-making, namely the dynamics between women’s economic bargaining power and their financial decision-making power. The paper also documents trends and transitions in financial decision-making. Using balanced panel data from South Africa’s National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS), the analysis finds that women who are married or living together remain economically disadvantaged compared to their male counterparts. Although gaining ground in terms of financial decision-making responsibility, women also remain disadvantaged compared to men in terms of financial decision-making power. Yet, employment opportunities significantly enhances women’s role in financial decision-making, thus arguing a case for continued efforts at women’s economic empowerment.     

HEALTH FACILITY CHOICE IN HIV- AND AIDS-AFFECTED HOUSEHOLDS IN TWO SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNITIES

This paper analysed differences in the choice of health-care facility by ill individuals in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-affected households in the Free State province of South Africa. Secondary education, access to medical aid and household income were significant determinants of choice as were severity and type of illness, and type of health care required. Ill persons with HIV- and AIDS-related illnesses are significantly more likely to opt for public health care, although the strength of this preference declines as household income increases. Those with severe and particularly severe HIV- and AIDS-related illness, in turn, are significantly more likely to opt for private health care, especially at higher levels of income. The public health care sector therefore is likely to remain the backbone of health-care provision to those infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS, highlighting the need for equitable access to efficient, quality public health services.     

Innovative Leadership as Enabling Function Within Organizations: A Complex Adaptive System Approach

Innovation is vital for organizational thriving in the complex reality of the 21st century. Leadership that flourished in stable environments may need to adapt to support thriving in a new globalized era. What does this type of leadership look like, and how does it function? The current article suggests that such an adaptation may be best expressed through leadership “as enabling function” within the organization as a complex adaptive system.     

Urban–rural inequalities in health care delivery in South Africa

Urban–rural inequalities in access to health care services continue to persist in South Africa, and in almost all cases discriminate against the poor. In certain cases disparities are even worse in urban areas, although levels of service delivery admittedly are consistently worse in rural areas. People in rural areas are generally more dependent on public and other health care services than on private services, compared with people living in urban areas. There is limited evidence of substantial intra-urban disparities, with inequality being worse in smaller urban settlements (i.e. towns) as opposed to larger ones (i.e. small cities and metropolitan areas). The article emphasises the important role the envisaged future decentralisation of selected health services to local government is likely to play in addressing these inequalities and the lack of service delivery at this level.     

The extent of,and possible explanations for,provincial disparities in progress on reconstruction and development in South Africa

The objective of this article is to assess the early progress of South Africa's nine provinces in delivering on the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). Reconstruction and development indices (RDIs) are developed for this purpose. Reconstruction and development are not simply a matter of coming closer to meeting the objectives described in the RDP. The government also needs to address other aspects that cause concern. It needs to facilitate the demographic transition and improve standards in secondary education. Provinces that are more urbanised are in an advantageous position compared with the more rural provinces, which means that the government needs to make concerted efforts to address this urban-rural divide and to accelerate delivery in rural areas. Past inequities appear to persist in that progress on reconstruction and development remains closely tied to the racial composition of provincial populations. Expeditious interventions are needed to address these issues if the RDP is to ensure a better life for all.