The research paper opens with the evolution of the Millennium Development
Goals as a development framework. Having considered the evolution of the
Millennium Development Goals, the paper then focuses on the socio-economic
and political huddles that will make the realization of the Millennium
Development Goals in Southern Africa sub region elusive and insurmountable.
The study deliberately uses South Africa as a case study primarily because of her geo-political and economic position in the region. The Republic South Africa is
the dominant power south of the Sahara. This paper challenges the existing
conviction and rhetoric that depict South Africa as the only notable country south
of the Sahara that will indubitably meet the Millennium Development Goals and
targets by 2015.
The paper draws attention to apparent neglect of the worsening social inequalities,
the country's dual economy system, socio-economic and institutional costs of HIV
and AIDS as well as neo liberal economic policies that have worsened social
disparities in the country. This paper, posits that despite South Africa's economic
and political achievements since 1994, the country face intractable socio-economic
challenges that will turn the ambition of accomplishing the Millennium
Development bleak and elusive. Economic growth alone will not propel the
country into sustainable development. The government needs to consider other
indicators of development such as employment, health, education, lack of
technical skills as well as the growing income inequalities.
The paper also looks at the socio-economic and political frameworks that have
been devised to propel the country into sustainable development. More emphasis
is also alluded to South Africa's system of governance with more emphasis on the
role of municipalities in economic development as well as the realization of the
Millennium Development Goals. Regional governments are at the heart of
sustainable social, economic and political development in South Africa. Provincial
governments and ·municipal administration administer social service delivery in
their areas of jurisdiction. By in large most of these basic services administered by
regional governments such as water, health, housing and social grants are key
indicators of the Millennium Development Goals. The paper finally looks at the
prospects of achieving the Millennium Development Goals in the region as well as
global commitment to the realization of the Millennium Development Goals. In
conclusion the research study outlines the findings and recommendations. / Thesis (M.A.(Peace Studies & International Relations) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2011
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/15977 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Motsamai, Lentswe |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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