Search results

The article traces the impact and relevance of the service delivery and poverty alleviation strategies introduced by the African National Congress (ANC) led provincial government in the Free State Province. This was in line with the promises made by the ANC during its electioneering campaigns of a "better life for all". South Africa was confronted with the challenge of transforming a racially and ethnically fragmented and unequal public service delivery system into one that would be able to meet the demands from a newly enfranchised citizenry for economic, social and political development. The legacies of apartheid, combined with widespread poor budgetary and financial management, a massive backlog in basic services and infrastructure, race and regional inequalities in provision, and sometimes tense social relationships, tended to limit opportunities for social development and expanded delivery. South Africa's new Constitution guaranteed human rights and democratic governance, promised efficient delivery of services and implemented a number of reforms aimed at achieving equity, access and the redistribution of resources. I argue in this article that the appointment of Winkie Direko, as the Premier of the Free State for the period 1999 to 2004 heralded a new dispensation for service delivery and poverty alleviation projects in the province. Therefore,the article seeks to highlight some of her initiatives as the province's Premier in fast-tracking service delivery and poverty alleviation programmes. In order to achieve the above, Direko introduced a structure which became known as the Premier's Economic Advisory Council (PEAC). This article reflects the role played by the PEAC in advising Direko as Premier on the economic development of the Free State Province. It presents the reflections, analysis, and recommendations of the research projects undertaken under the auspices of the PEAC. Furthermore, it highlights the use of the PEAC as one approach to enhance stakeholders' contribution to the economic development of the province, albeit within the limitations of time and funding from the Free State provincial government. Direko's PEAC ceased to function after the change of the provincial political leadership in April 2004 general election. Therefore, the article discusses the period 1999 to 2004.

• Summary: The article attempts to respond to the controversy of leadership squabbles within the ranks of the Congress of the People (COPE). For the past few years, COPE has become the home of divisions, factions and character assassination. It is argued in the article that based on the malicious practices by some leaders of this organisation, it might lose the realisation of its fundamental vision as an alternative voice for South Africa. It is contended that COPE is not divided along the lines of ideological differences, but due to leadership personalities and preferences.

Alhoewel die eerste demokratiese verkiesing in Suid-Afrika reeds 12 jaar gelede gehou is, is die kriteria gebruik deur die Onafhanklike Verkiesingskommissie (OVK) om die April 1994 verkiesing "vry en regverdig" te verklaar nog nooit waarlik deur historici en politieke wetenskaplikes nagevors nie. 'n Vraag wat reeds 'n lang tyd by studente van die geskiedenis en politiek bestaan is of die OVK geoorloof was om die verkiesing van April 1994 in Suid-Afrika as "vry en regverdig" te verklaar "ondanks geweld en intimidasie wat gedurende dié tyd voorgekom het"? Het dit oor die nodige kennis en menslike hulpbronne beskik om die verkiesing "vry en regverdig" te verklaar? Het dit die vermoë gehad om daadwerklik die veelvuldige probleme insluitende geweld, intimidasie en verkiesingsbedrog gedurende die verkiesingsperiode die hoof te bied? DL Horowitz, lid van die Demokratiese Party (DP), het nadat hy van die talle probleme ondervind deur die OVK te hore gekom het, verklaar dat die April 1994-verkiesing in werklikheid geen verkiesing was nie, maar eerder 'n sensus. In dié artikel probeer die navorser Horowitz se stelling én die komplekse proses rondom die 1994-verkiesing ontleed.