file:///G|/ProjWip/Products/Omalley/Tim/05%20Post-Transition/T_SAIRR%20Reports%201994-2000/SAIRR%20Survey%201997-98.HTM SOUTH AFRICA SURVEY 1997/98 ELIZABETH SIDIROPOULOS ANTHEA JEFFERY HERMA FORGEY CHERYL CHIPPS TERENCE CORRIGAN THABO MOPHUTHING ANDREA HELMAN TAMARA DIMANT Research staff South African Institute of Race Relations with contributions from Carmel Musiker Published with the financial assistance of the United States Agency for International Development SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF RACE RELATIONS JOHANNESBURG 1998 Published by the South African Institute of Race Relations file:///G|/ProjWip/Products/Omalley/Tim/05%20Post...0Reports%201994-2000/SAIRR%20Survey%201997-98.HTM (1 of 1406)25/11/2004 15:41:45 PM file:///G|/ProjWip/Products/Omalley/Tim/05%20Post-Transition/T_SAIRR%20Reports%201994-2000/SAIRR%20Survey%201997-98.HTM Auden House, 68 De Korte Street Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001 South Africa Copyright South African Institute of Race Relations, 1998 ISSN 1027-1724 PD 13/1998 ISBN 0-86982-456-2 Members of the media are free to reprint or report information, either in whole or in part, contained in this publication on the strict understanding that the South African Institute of Race Relations in acknowledged. Otherwise no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronical, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. This publication was made possible through support provided by USAID/South Africa under the terms of Grant No 674-0301-A-00-6081-00. Opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US Agency for International Development. INTRODUCTION The 1997/98 Survey is the 61st issue since the first one, covering 1935, was published in 1936. The last few Surveys have covered the flood of policy and legislation drawn up to address socio-economic backlogs and racial disparities, many of which the institute had highlighted under the previous government. This is the last Survey before the second general elections in the ‘new South Africa’. The various chapters present a picture, in words, tables, and graphs of trends over time, of what has been achieved thus far and the challenges that continue to face the country. For example, while the market capitalisation of black-owned companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange has grown by more then 3 000% since 1994, unemployment is deepening by up to two percentage points a year. On the other hand annual real household income of Africans in the main 12 urban areas increased by 140% between 1990 and 1995. Provision of electricity, water, and telephones in non-serviced areas is gaining momentum. This edition of the Survey focuses on the result of policy implementation. The policy review sections highlight key policy issues, but in keeping with the Survey’s unbiased reporting do not make any policy recommendations. We have also restructured some of the chapters: ‘Living conditions’ now covers information about such things as housing, electrification, water supply, and land; ‘Communications’ file:///G|/ProjWip/Products/Omalley/Tim/05%20Post...0Reports%201994-2000/SAIRR%20Survey%201997-98.HTM (2 of 1406)25/11/2004 15:41:45 PM file:///G|/ProjWip/Products/Omalley/Tim/05%20Post-Transition/T_SAIRR%20Reports%201994-2000/SAIRR%20Survey%201997-98.HTM covers post and telecommunications, and roads and transport. Political violence is covered in the Security chapter, while ‘Business’ focuses on the informal sector, and small and black business. The Survey this year boasts more then 1 700 references, and in excess of 300 tables and charts. The 1998/99 national budget is covered in all the chapters, which is why we have delayed the Survey’s publication this year. In addition, economic forecasts for the period 1998–2000 have been updated to take into account the latest turbulence in the emerging markets. We always try to publish the most recent data. Unfortunately, information from government departments is sometimes not published timeously. For example, the 1996 population census has still not been published in its final form when the Survey went to the printers. Other demographic statistics from the government, such as the 1996 household survey, will be released at the same time as the census. The Survey Has published the preliminary census results and population projections predating the census. While no Additional statistics were available the most recent ones are reproduced. Members seeking more recent statistics or other information can telephone the Institute’s Chief Librarian, Mrs Ellen Potter, at (011)403-3600, fax her at (011)403-3671, or e-mail her at [email protected] Production of the Survey is very expensive. It would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, whose names are listed on the inside fount cover. We are grateful to all of them. Elizabeth Sidiropoulos Senior Research Manager South African Institute of Race Relations MESSAGE TO OUR READERS Allow me to give you a number of important reasons why it is essential for you to consider membership of the Institute: • Did you know that the institute produced the first detailed analysis of the Employment Equity Bill— which will dramatically change the way in which companies will have to operate ? • Did you know that the institute can provide individual, company and corporate members with a extensive research and analytical service, accurate and more predictive, with less paper and more essential information? Information is our business—in fact we have the best track record in the country. • Did you know that as a member you will receive a monthly publication Fast Facts, with topical articles an policy issues and regular tables on social and economic statistics and trends? Some of the top executives on our mailing list never travel abroad without it. file:///G|/ProjWip/Products/Omalley/Tim/05%20Post...0Reports%201994-2000/SAIRR%20Survey%201997-98.HTM (3 of 1406)25/11/2004 15:41:45 PM file:///G|/ProjWip/Products/Omalley/Tim/05%20Post-Transition/T_SAIRR%20Reports%201994-2000/SAIRR%20Survey%201997-98.HTM • Did you know that simply picking up the telephone, you as an individual or strategic planer, marketing or human resources director will have immediate access to the best current affairs library in the country—saving hours of valuable time. • Did you know that you or your entire management team around the country can be issued with Internet passwords, and can simultaneously access our publications and our library for individual information needs? You are encouraged to contact Eric Odendaal or Joe Mpye For Further information about how you can benefit from membership. John Kane-Berman Chief Executive South African Institute of Race Relations PO Box 31044 2017 Braamfontien Fax: (011) 339-2061 Telephone: (011) 403-3600 E-mail: [email protected] ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The production of the Survey every year is a team effort and the writers would not have been able produce it without the assistance of various people and organizations. We are grateful to those who provided information, and answered or clarified queries—other non-governmental organizations, trade unions, companies, government officials, members of parliament, officials of political parties, academics, and other researchers. We are indebted to John Gaund and Robin Hamilton for their work editing some of the chapters, we have come to rely on them every year. We are grateful to Sarah Zwane, Carmel Musiker, and Robin Hamilton for their work in style editing file:///G|/ProjWip/Products/Omalley/Tim/05%20Post...0Reports%201994-2000/SAIRR%20Survey%201997-98.HTM (4 of 1406)25/11/2004 15:41:45 PM file:///G|/ProjWip/Products/Omalley/Tim/05%20Post-Transition/T_SAIRR%20Reports%201994-2000/SAIRR%20Survey%201997-98.HTM and checking parts of the typeset manuscript. Naomi Musiker once again compiled our invaluable index. We appreciate her long commitment to the institute and the Survey, and her ability to meet sometimes impossible deadlines. The Institute’s chief librarian, Ellen Potter, assisted by Eunice Halo, Elizabeth Koloko, Pinky Makhubu, Mildred Monyane, Alfred Nkungu, and Prisca Nkungu obtained much of the material and provided the excellent press clipping service essential for the writing of the Survey. We would also like to thank the Institute’s Parliamentary Affairs officer in Cape Town for their assistance. Connie Matthews and Sarah Zwane have typeset the Survey once again. Their dedication to the Survey has meant that over the last few months their responsibilities to their families have taken a back seat, particularly over weekends. We appreciate your willingness to do this. A special word for Connie Matthews: Connie has been at the institute for 28 years. for the greater part of that period before the advent of computers, she laboriously typed out version after version of Survey chapters. It is difficult to imagine these days now how the Survey was produced without the advantage of desktop publishing. Her long service to the institute comes to an end with the completion of this issue of the Survey and the writers would like to thank her and wish her the best for the future. Our thanks go lastly to the Institute’s chief executive, John Kane-Berman, the editor-in-chief, who, being a perfectionist, always pushes us to the limits of our abilities, and sometimes to our endurance too. We hope that the result is a comprehensive and accurate compendium which the reader will find invaluable in understanding the country and the times we live in. Elizabeth Sidropopulos Anthea Jeffery Herma Forgey Cheryl Chipps Terence Corrigan Thabo Mophuthing Andrea Helman Tamara Dimant NOTES file:///G|/ProjWip/Products/Omalley/Tim/05%20Post...0Reports%201994-2000/SAIRR%20Survey%201997-98.HTM (5 of 1406)25/11/2004 15:41:45 PM file:///G|/ProjWip/Products/Omalley/Tim/05%20Post-Transition/T_SAIRR%20Reports%201994-2000/SAIRR%20Survey%201997-98.HTM 1.