UNDP South Africa

The MDG report 2010 was produced with financial assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The report shows the result of a joint effort by the Government of South Africa, the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and the UNDP in South Africa. The preparation of the report was led by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), which is the country's MDG Secretariat and as such provided overall direction and coordination during the whole process.

The participation of the CSOs in the process provided an invaluable and refreshing perspective on the successes, challenges, recommendations and a programme of action for the MDGs. Their persistence on further provincial consultation  guaranteed stakeholder ownership and thus made the report a truly MDG Country Report.

While South Africa has a sophisticated infrastructure, a well-developed private sector and a stable macro-economy, it suffers inequality in education, specifically as regards access to quality education and access to quality health care. The latter especially, combined with the high prevalence of HIV and AIDS, explains why South Africa has not achieved some targets for those MDGs related to outcomes such as employment, income levels, and life expectancy.

As a middle income country, South Africa is less dependent on foreign aid, and improvements in the MDGs will depend on how well government and other stakeholders mobilise domestic resources to achieve these targets. The macro-economic environment of benign inflation holds promise, but even in the best of times growth reached a plateau at 5% in an economy requiring at least 7% to achieve both its employment and redistributive consequences. South Africa has experienced a decline in poverty largely as a result of a significant income transfer programme, massive reallocation of pro-poor expenditure, for example on housing, water, electricity and sanitation. Not surprisingly, South Africa has achieved or is close to achieving the dollar-based purchasing power parity adjusted targets.

"South Africa is committed to the MDG agenda and the Millennium Declaration of 2000. Our entire development agenda embraces the MDGs." mentioned the President of the REpublic of South Africa Jacob. Zuma.

Through its Vision 2014, the government continues to pursue these commitments and has further sharpened the focus of its resolve. For instance, it was recently decided that South Africa must halve poverty and unemployment by 2014 (hence Vision 2014). Initiatives such as the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa, comprehensive anti-poverty and social cohesion strategies, and capacity-building initiative seek to ensure that poverty and unemployment will indeed be halved by 2014. In the more specific area of service delivery, the government has also committed to the provision of safe potable water to all by 2008 and universal access to energy by 2012. In his State of the Nation address to the country in 2007, the President of South Africa, reiterated his government's firm position that "the struggle to eradicate poverty has been and will continue to be a central part of the national effort to build the new South Africa."

Since 1994, SA has undertaken various reforms - legislative, institutional,administrative, and otherwise - in order to create a climate conducive for theimprovement of the quality of life of all South Africans and ensure that SA contributes to the creation of a better Africa and a better world in line with theideals of our Constitution. In many cases, specific goals and targets have beenset. Assessment of progress towards the realisation of Government objectiveshas been done at several points, the most notably being the Ten Year Review. Further, progress is assessed on an ongoing basis and regularly reported onthrough various medium, including progress on the Government Programme of Action, State of the Nation Address, Budget Vote Speeches, Parliamentary Media Briefings, etc.

The Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF, 2009–2014) is a statement of government intent. It identifies the development challenges facing South Africa and outlines the medium-term strategy for improving living conditions of South Africans. The MTSF base document is meant to guide planning and resource allocation across all spheres of government. National and provincial departments in particular need to develop their five-year strategic plans and budget requirements, taking into account the medium-term imperatives. Similarly, informed by the MTSF and their 2006 mandates, municipalities are expected to adapt their integrated development plans in line with the national medium-term priorities. The MTSF also commits government and its development partners to a programme of gender equality, in seeking to ensure that the 'conditions have been created for the full participation of women in all critical areas of human endeavour'.

The 2010 report demonstrates how the MDGs have been domesticated into the current priority agenda of the government. Below is a schematic layout that maps the MDGs on the South african National priorities.

The South African Constitution and its development mandate explicitly takes the MDGs into account, and as a consequence there remain a greater possibility that despite many challenges, South Africa has a plan in place and a winning chance in the fight against hunger, disease, ignorance, gender equality and making South Africa, Africa and the world a better place.

Goal No. 1

Using national estimates of poverty and inequality in South Africa, in 2000, 11% of people were living on less than US$1 a day and 34% were living on less than US$ 2 a day. Using expenditure share measures (i.e. the proportion of expenditure for each quintile of households in South Africa, between 1995 and 2000), in 2000 the poorest 20% accounted for 2.8% of total expenditure. In contrast, the wealthiest 20% of households accounted for 64.5% of all expenditure in 2000. Income inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient, in South Africa was at 0.59 when social transfers are excluded. It declines to 0.35 when including social transfers. There are many on-going programmes and new ones that are aimed at improving the profile of South Africans.Social assistance grants increased from R10 billion in 1994 to R37.1 billion in 2004 with beneficiaries growing from 2.6 million to 7.9 million during the same period.

The proportion of households with access to clean water increased from 60 percent in 1995 to 85 percent in 2003 and by December 2004 10 million people had access to clean water. Access to sanitation increased from 49 percent of households in 1994 to 63 percent in 2003 while 2.4 million housing subsidies were approved and 1.74 million housing units were built between April 1994 and March 2005.

According to the 2010 report, absolute poverty has declined, based on a period of economic growth combined with a series of redistributive measures carried out by the government of the day. Most notable, is the five-fold increase in the number of people benefiting from social grants. An additional area of importance, not captured by the above measures of income inequality, is a variety of pro-poor investments in services such as sanitation, housing and others. Challenges, however, remain in South Africa. These range from a persistently unequal society, although with scope for accelerating declines in absolute poverty specifically for a proportion of the population, living under $2.50 a day. Further attention needs to be paid to malnutrition and child health and the problem of unemployment as a long-term solution that would potentially replace social assistance programmes. In this regard the following recommendations are appropriate.

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger	1994	2010	2015	Achievability
Proportion of population below $1 (PPP) per day	11.3	5.0	5.7	Achieved
EPoverty gap ratio $1(PPP) per day	3.2	1.1	1.6	Achieved
Share of poorest quintile in national consumption	2.9	2.8	5.8	Unlikely
Percentage growth rate of GDP per person employed	4.7	1.9	6.0	Possible
Employment-to-population ratio	41.5	42.5	50-70	Unlikely
Proportion of employed people living below $1 (PPP) per day	5.2	ND	=0	Unlikely
Proportion of own-account and contributing family workers in total employment	11	9.9	=5	Possible
Prevalence of underweight children under-five years of age (as a percentage)	9.3	10.2	4.7	Unlikely
Source: South Africa MDG Report 2010

Goal No. 2

Primary education in South Africa is characterised by very high rates of enrollment and retention. These rates show strong gender equity, and where small differences do exist, they are in the girl child’s favour. Universal primary education is already effectively a reality. The adjusted net enrollment ratios show that primary education is hovering on 98% by 2009 up from 96% in 2002. At this level almost the same proportion of boys of school going- age and similarly that for girls are in school. Completion rates of primary education have also improved from 89.6% in 2002 to 93.8% in 2009. These completion rates are also accompanied by improving literacy rates that reach 93%.

South Africa has in effect achieved the goal of universal primary education before the year 2015, and its education system can now be recognised as having attained near universal access. However, if this achievement is to be translated into educational transformation in
a meaningful way, serious interventions are needed to improve the quality and functionality of education. This is especially required within the historically black and chronically underperforming section of South Africa’s schooling system. In this regard, government is currently scaling up already existing initiatives and developing new ones.  Successive post-apartheid administrations are aware of the challenges and put in place a battery of initiatives to improve and strengthen the quality of basic education with the current government.

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education	2002	2009	2015	Achievability
Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15-24)	83.4	89	100	Likely
Literacy rate, youth male (% of males ages 15-24)	88.4	93.1	100	Likely
Adjusted net enrolment ratios primary education (female)	96.4	99.4	100	Achieved
Adjusted net enrolment rations primary education (male)	97	98.8	100	Achieved
Completion rate of primary education for 18 year olds	89.6	93.8	100	Likely
Source: South Africa MDG Report 2010

Goal No. 3

The factors that have facilitated South Africa’s improved performance towards gender equality include the African National Congress’s quota in respect of political representation of women, as well as a widespread recognition since 1994 that South Africa has an obligation to address gender inequalities alongside those relating to race. This recognition is firmly grounded in the Constitution and reflected in a wide range of laws, policies, programmes and practices.

The constitutional mandate on gender equality is clear, and the legislative process is providing the building blocks for a gender equitable society. Eliminating violence is essential for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women. The existing target, to eliminate the gender disparity in education, captures only one, albeit a key, dimension of gender inequality. Eliminating violence against women is a prerequisite for gender equality and empowerment of women. The follow-up by mothers and fathers on school and extracurricular activities of their children reinforces the family ties, favours socialisation at home and reduces the risk of violence and/or aggression in the streets.

It is clear that South Africa has reached most gender equality targets, if not exceeded them. South Africa’s performance has also improved for several of the indicators over the period. A more serious challenge relates to other socio-economic concerns where women continue to have higher rate of unemployment than men, their share of non-agricultural wage remains below 50%, and a greater prevalence of violence against women.

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women	1994	2009	2015	Achievability
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%)	25	44	50	Likely
Ratio of female to male enrollments in tertiary education	0.86	1.26	1	Achieved
Ratio of female to male secondary enrollment	1.13	1.05	1	Achieved
Ratio of female to male primary enrollment	0.97	0.96	1	Likely
Share of women employed in the nonagricultural sector (% of total nonagricultural employment)	43	45	50	Likely
Source: South Africa MDG Report 2010

Goal No. 4

South Africa has done extremely well since the turn of the century in increasing the proportion of 1 year-old children immunised against measles, and the general immunisation coverage of infants (under one year of age). Projecting current trends, both of these initiatives will reach their respective MDGs by 2015. In addition, trends show a decrease from 2001 to 2008 in the number of children with low birth weight (a weight less than 60% of their estimated 'normal' weight for their age).

From a policy perspective South Africa has been proactive in ensuring that the necessary policies and implementation strategies are in place to reduce under-five mortality in the form of prevention of malnutrition and intensification of immunisation coverage, as well as access to free health care facilities. However, while the interventions in health are strong and hold promise for stabilising infant mortality, they are not sufficient to reduce under-five mortality rates. Consequently evidence point to near doubling of under-five mortality rate in a space of nine years and a constant, albeit at a high plateaux, infant mortality rate over a six year period. The target set for South Africa of 20 deaths per thousand live births or lower by 2015 compares adversely with the current level of 104.

 

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality	1994	2010	2015	Achievability
Immunization, measles (% of children ages 12-23 months)	68.5	98.3	100	Likely
Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births)	54	53	18	Unlikely
Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000)	59	104	20	Unlikely
Immunisation coverage under 1 year of age	66.4	95.3	100	Likely
Life expectancy at birth for males	57.6	55.3	70	Unlikely
Life expectancy at birth for females	64.8	60.4	70	Unlikely
Source: South Africa MDG Report 2010

Goal No. 5

Despite this investment in public health there is a high and increasing level of maternal mortality in South Africa. Notwithstanding the fact that over 90% of pregnant women currently have access to antenatal care, and the fact that with a contraceptive prevalence of over 60%, South Africa has relatively high contraceptive prevalence rate. Of concern remains the current level of maternal mortality ratio which is far higher than the 2015 MDG 5 target of 38 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. It is evident that maternal mortality is both a multi-dimensional health and broader developmental challenge, and that improved sexual and reproductive health is also dependent on a range of other factors including education, decent work, safety, clean water and sanitation, and adequate transport facilities.

 

Goal 5: Improve maternal health	1994	2010	2015	Achievability
Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19)	-	-	75	No Data
Births attended by skilled health staff (% of total)	76.6	94.3	100	Possible
Contraceptive prevalence (% of women ages 15-49)	25.2	33.4	100	Unlikely
Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births)	369	625	38	Unlikely
Pregnant women receiving prenatal care (%)	76.6	102.8	100	Achieved
Unmet need for contraception (% of married women ages 15-49)	-	-	15	No Data
Source: South Africa MDG Report 2010

Goal No. 6

Government has intensified the implementation of policies, strategies and programmes aimed at combating HIV and AIDS. However, there is wide recognition that the Government cannot be expected to combat the spread of HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases (including TB) without broad-based support from all sectors of South Africa. Given the complexity of the health challenges required to address these problems there is a need for ongoing concerted efforts by Government, civil society, the private sector and individuals to work in a collaborative and integrated manner.

Individuals also need to take responsibility for combating the spread of HIV and AIDS and TB by minimizing risky sexual behaviour that fuels infection and the spread of the conditions. HIV prevalence levels are still high in South Africa in comparison to other countries in Northern, Western and Middle Africa. However, it would appear that the prevalence of HIV may have stabilized in the country. With regard to Malaria, the national malaria programme will be redirected towards malaria elimination and the Department of Health will work with countries like Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana to ensure that this is achieved.

HIV prevalence levels are still high in South Africa compared to other countries in Northern, Western and Middle Africa. However, it would appear that the prevalence of HIV has stabilized in the country. Encouraging as the decline might be, the differential infection rates point to predominance in rural provinces attributed to gender power relations. Even more worrisome are the emergent relationships that expose young girls to HIV because of gender power inequalities with older male sexual partners.

 

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases	1994	2010	2015	Achievability
HIV prevalence among population aged 15-24 years	9.3	8.7	<9.3	Possible
Condom use at last high-risk sex	27.3	62.4	100	Unlikely
Ratio of school attendance of orphans to school attendance of non-orphans aged 10-14 years	1:1	1:1	1:1	Achieved
Proportion of population with advanced HIV infection with access to antiretroviral drugs	13.9	41.6	100	Unlikely
Incidence of Malaria	64,600	6,800	<6,800	Likely
Death rates associated with malaria	2.0	0.6	<2.0	Achieved
Number of cases of children under 5 years of age with fever who are treated with appropriate anti-malarial drugs	9,513	603	<9,513	Achieved
HIV prevalence among pregnant women aged 15 – 24 years	22.8	29.3	22.8	Unlikely
HIV prevalence in men and women aged 15 - 49	15.6	16.9	15.6	Unlikely
Source: Soth Africa MDG Report 2010

Goal No. 7

Since 1994, environmental issues have moved into the socio-political arena. They bring together human rights, access to natural resources, social justice, equity and sustainability. In the last eleven years, Government has focused on prioritising people's needs while safeguarding the country's natural assets. The range of legislative, policy and institutional developments that have occurred over this period have brought about a new environmental management approach, based on recognition of the contribution that the country's biological resources in relation to food security, science, the economy, cultural integrity and well-being make. Also, between April 1994 and March 2005, approximately 2,4 million housing subsidies were approved. During the same period, 1,74 million housing units were built.

Two important messages from a review of goal 7 are as follows. South Africa does have significant environmental challenges, specifically its dependence on environmentally harmful coal based energy production. Second, it clear that there have been significant improvements in improving to basic services and this must be assessed in relation to Goal 1. No strategy for environmental sustainability can be successful without better monitoring. Currently, however, monitoring systems for water flows and quality, air quality, deforestation, and other land degradation are inadequate. Sustained investments in strengthening environmental monitoring systems will thus be essential. An important mechanism for implementing national strategies is the set of multilateral environmental agreements and conventions, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the RAMSAR Wetland Convention, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. More funding and targeted technical support need to be made available to implement these agreements.

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability	1994	2010	2015	Achievability
CO2 emissions (kg per PPP $ of GDP)	1.29	0.98	1.3	Likely
CO2 emissions (metric tons per capita)	8.86	8.82	8.4	Possible
Forest area (% of land area)	nd	0.41	nt	Possible
Improved sanitation facilities (% of population with access)	58.5	72.2	79.2	Likely
Improved water source (% of population with access)	61.1	92.4	81	Achieved
Marine protected areas, (% of surface area)	0	6.54	14	Possible
Nationally protected areas (% of total land area)	5.18	6.20	9	Possible
Source: South Africa MDG Report 2010

Goal No. 8

In 2004, the South African Government undertook to halve poverty and unemployment by 2014, in its Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative (Asgisa). To meet its Asgisa targets, the Government estimated that the level of economic growth would need to average 4.5% or higher during the period 2005 to 2009, and 6% or higher during the period 2010 through 2014. So far, on a real basis the economy has grown at an average annual rate of 3.2% between 2005 and 2009, and thus Asgisa growth targets have not been met.

In relation to strengthening global partnerships, South Africa has rapidly opened up trade, especially to LDCs and developing countries. Her trade and in particular imports from both LDCs and developing countries have increased, with the LDC share of imports rising from less than 1% in 2002 to just under 6% in 2008 (before falling to 4% in 2009), while imports from developing countries increased to a high of 47% in 2009. South Africa is seen as a country characterised by a remarkably stable macro-economic framework. Its major challenge is to increase its economic growth potential. Failure to do so, will limit its ability to address many of the goals set out by the MDG process, major amongst them, the creation of jobs, drastic improvements in the quality of especially technical education, and reversal of the necessary to date, but rapidly ballooning social assistance programme. South Africa has made great progress in telecommunications for the masses. The percentage of South Africans with access to a cell phone is rapidly approaching 9 out of 10.

 

Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development	1994	2010	2015	Achievability
Debt to GNI ratio	44.4	28.4	<44.4	Achieved
FDI inflows as % of GDP	8.4	1.4	>0	Possible
Internet users (per 100 people)	7.2	8.9	>50	Possible
Mobile cellular subscriptions (per 100 people)	18.5	85.9	>50	Achieved
Telephone (fixed) lines (per 100 people)	11.1	9.7	>50	Unlikely
Source: South Africa MDG Report 2010