South African government Policies: towards combating poverty exclusion

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to chronicle the main policy development discourses over the past twelve years and to note their significance for the manner in which the South African government operates. In addition, it ventures to heed the significance of the policies through which the government shows commitment to promoting and strengthening shared governance and combating poverty and exclusions. The attempt to examine the impact of policies on development with reference to the promotion of shared governance, poverty alleviation and combating exclusions is not a simple task. The reason is that so much has been done, and policies have been promulgated over the past twelve years and the 'wheel is still in spin' to achieve more for the poor and for the previously disadvantaged individuals and communities. The road has not been easy; socio-political contestations, distortions and ideological conflicts have at times served as 'road humps' and 'ambers' cautioning the speedy players. The process of policy development discourse continues to grow in profundity and shape towards a good direction as viewed by the majority of the people (Partel et al. 2002:15). Some view this kind of development discourse as apartheid in reverse. Others view it as a means to a better life for all and have moved towards exploring the new open opportunities to contribute and participate in world trade markets, thus harvesting fruits from a twelve year old democracy in which shared governance, rights to human dignity and sustainable development are the stem of the new nation. It is assumed that other developmental initiatives will assume a new significance when the dust has settled and many share the new developmental vision.