Civil society and the transformation of social security: towards a perspective conception of the right to have access to social security in South Africa
- Malan, Christiaan Pieter Naudé
- Authors: Malan, Christiaan Pieter Naudé
- Date: 2009-05-07T07:24:03Z
- Subjects: Civil society (South Africa) , Social security , Non-governmental organizations , Demographic transition
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8363 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2504
- Description: D.Phil. , Civil society organisations have and will be mentioned as partners, agents and autochthonous actors of social security. This has come about through advances in insurance products, through the kinds of social action engaged in by civil society organisations, and through the devolution of state power to citizens and civil society organisations. Rights to social security are decisively affected by the use of civil society organisations in the social policy field, and the implications of this use are investigated. This reality of the changing nature of social action needs to be brought to bear on human rights, if rights are to respond adequately to the concerns of injustice, inequality and poverty today. The thesis develops a framework within which civil society-based action could be made rights-based and justiciable, and which could guard against the retrogressive substitution of state action by civil society-based activity. Civil society-based action can be seen as upholding rights if it conforms to the fundamental requirements of human rights. These fundamental requirements derive from a performative conception of rights that sees the individual as subject of rights and as the fundamental actor of rights. This view of rights sees rights as dependent on the abilities and volition of all in society, and is presented as an alternative to a realist view of rights, as well as a view of rights as derived from basic human functionings. The intersection of this view of rights, the reality of non-state action for rights, and the legal discourse around socio-economic rights is the central problem that this thesis addresses. The legal discourse has only partially recognised this form of social action, and this thesis proposes a framework within which we may interpret and assess whether civil society action is indeed conducive to the realisation of rights. This framework includes democratic norms for conduct inside civil society organisations, for the interaction between civil society organisations and other actors, like the state and market, and also delineates the role of the court in this performative conception of rights. These interactions will shape the content, and nature of socio-economic rights, and here these insights are made applicable to the right to have access to social security in South Africa. The thesis discusses the suitability of South African civil society for this normative programme developed here. I analyse South African civil society, its historical role in transformation, in the current context, and its place in social and economic policy. There are ample opportunities for participation by civil society organisations in the further reform of the social security system. The realisation of novel ways to realise the right to have access to social security through civil society organisations for South Africans would depend on clarity on how civil society organisations could contribute to the enjoyment, realisation and performance of this right. The framework of accountability developed here has precedents and roots in law, civil society theory and in the discourse of social security. I analyse each, and I show how the social security discourse has incorporated civil society organisations in its historical development. Currently, it is a leading avenue for the further development of this discourse. However, this possibility – which intersects with the discourse of civil society – would depend on civil society being able to realise normative ends in its interaction with wider society. To gain clarity on this I analyse the civil society discourse, and critically point out problems that could stand in the way of this normative project. However, theorists of civil society have emphasised how this problem can be overcome; I draw on these writings to substantiate and legitimate the framework of accountability developed earlier. The realisation of this framework of accountability and action would enable civil society organisations to realise normative ends in society, and thus contribute to the realisation of rights. This vision of how rights could be realised is also discussed from a legal point of view, and I point out the features of the legal discourse that would support my thesis. The central objective of the thesis is to show that the South African constitution can support this reading of rights and the place of civil society action in its realisation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Malan, Christiaan Pieter Naudé
- Date: 2009-05-07T07:24:03Z
- Subjects: Civil society (South Africa) , Social security , Non-governmental organizations , Demographic transition
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8363 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2504
- Description: D.Phil. , Civil society organisations have and will be mentioned as partners, agents and autochthonous actors of social security. This has come about through advances in insurance products, through the kinds of social action engaged in by civil society organisations, and through the devolution of state power to citizens and civil society organisations. Rights to social security are decisively affected by the use of civil society organisations in the social policy field, and the implications of this use are investigated. This reality of the changing nature of social action needs to be brought to bear on human rights, if rights are to respond adequately to the concerns of injustice, inequality and poverty today. The thesis develops a framework within which civil society-based action could be made rights-based and justiciable, and which could guard against the retrogressive substitution of state action by civil society-based activity. Civil society-based action can be seen as upholding rights if it conforms to the fundamental requirements of human rights. These fundamental requirements derive from a performative conception of rights that sees the individual as subject of rights and as the fundamental actor of rights. This view of rights sees rights as dependent on the abilities and volition of all in society, and is presented as an alternative to a realist view of rights, as well as a view of rights as derived from basic human functionings. The intersection of this view of rights, the reality of non-state action for rights, and the legal discourse around socio-economic rights is the central problem that this thesis addresses. The legal discourse has only partially recognised this form of social action, and this thesis proposes a framework within which we may interpret and assess whether civil society action is indeed conducive to the realisation of rights. This framework includes democratic norms for conduct inside civil society organisations, for the interaction between civil society organisations and other actors, like the state and market, and also delineates the role of the court in this performative conception of rights. These interactions will shape the content, and nature of socio-economic rights, and here these insights are made applicable to the right to have access to social security in South Africa. The thesis discusses the suitability of South African civil society for this normative programme developed here. I analyse South African civil society, its historical role in transformation, in the current context, and its place in social and economic policy. There are ample opportunities for participation by civil society organisations in the further reform of the social security system. The realisation of novel ways to realise the right to have access to social security through civil society organisations for South Africans would depend on clarity on how civil society organisations could contribute to the enjoyment, realisation and performance of this right. The framework of accountability developed here has precedents and roots in law, civil society theory and in the discourse of social security. I analyse each, and I show how the social security discourse has incorporated civil society organisations in its historical development. Currently, it is a leading avenue for the further development of this discourse. However, this possibility – which intersects with the discourse of civil society – would depend on civil society being able to realise normative ends in its interaction with wider society. To gain clarity on this I analyse the civil society discourse, and critically point out problems that could stand in the way of this normative project. However, theorists of civil society have emphasised how this problem can be overcome; I draw on these writings to substantiate and legitimate the framework of accountability developed earlier. The realisation of this framework of accountability and action would enable civil society organisations to realise normative ends in society, and thus contribute to the realisation of rights. This vision of how rights could be realised is also discussed from a legal point of view, and I point out the features of the legal discourse that would support my thesis. The central objective of the thesis is to show that the South African constitution can support this reading of rights and the place of civil society action in its realisation.
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Economic impact of non-governmental organisations in improving the well-being of vulnerable orphaned children in Soweto
- Rooderick, Mojalefa September
- Authors: Rooderick, Mojalefa September
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Non-governmental organizations , Non-governmental organizations - Economic aspects , Orphans - South Africa - Soweto , Orphans - Care - South Africa - Soweto , Economic assistance - South Africa - Soweto
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/124188 , uj:20885
- Description: Abstract: Extended households have always provided a safety net for orphaned children. However, the high rate of HIV (AIDS) infection, unemployment and poverty has weakened their capacity to fulfil this vital role. Most of the extended households with orphan-care responsibilities are forced to subsist under poor socio-economic conditions and depend on government social grants for their material survival. Consequently, the majority of extended households live in poverty and therefore lack sufficient resources to care for these children. In addition to receiving government social grants, some extended households are also receiving financial and non-financial assistance from local non-governmental organisations (NGOs). These local NGOs play an important role in strengthening the these households ― which, as mentioned, provide a refuge to orphaned children ― by providing basic needs such as food, clothes and medical care to orphans living in extended family units. However, despite this significant role of local NGOs, little has been done to quantify their economic impact. It is against this background that this mini-dissertation strives to bridge this gap by investigating the economic impact of NGOs in improving the well-being of vulnerable orphaned children living in these extended households of Soweto. Methodologically, this mini-dissertation employs the Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) poverty indices (1984), in order to assess the impact of NGOs’ help in reducing the level and the depth of poverty in poor households living with orphaned children. We used the Kruskal-Wallis (1952) non-parametric test to test whether the help of NGOs was significant in reducing the level and the depth of poverty in these homes. In the second approach, we use the logit econometric model to control for variables that may affect the probability of an orphaned child to be poor. Before we analysed the results of the FGT poverty indices and the logit econometric model, we started by analysing the demographic profile of all households who participated in this study in order to have knowledge of the prevailing socio-economic conditions of these households. We further compared the income of each household in... , M.Com.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Rooderick, Mojalefa September
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Non-governmental organizations , Non-governmental organizations - Economic aspects , Orphans - South Africa - Soweto , Orphans - Care - South Africa - Soweto , Economic assistance - South Africa - Soweto
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/124188 , uj:20885
- Description: Abstract: Extended households have always provided a safety net for orphaned children. However, the high rate of HIV (AIDS) infection, unemployment and poverty has weakened their capacity to fulfil this vital role. Most of the extended households with orphan-care responsibilities are forced to subsist under poor socio-economic conditions and depend on government social grants for their material survival. Consequently, the majority of extended households live in poverty and therefore lack sufficient resources to care for these children. In addition to receiving government social grants, some extended households are also receiving financial and non-financial assistance from local non-governmental organisations (NGOs). These local NGOs play an important role in strengthening the these households ― which, as mentioned, provide a refuge to orphaned children ― by providing basic needs such as food, clothes and medical care to orphans living in extended family units. However, despite this significant role of local NGOs, little has been done to quantify their economic impact. It is against this background that this mini-dissertation strives to bridge this gap by investigating the economic impact of NGOs in improving the well-being of vulnerable orphaned children living in these extended households of Soweto. Methodologically, this mini-dissertation employs the Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) poverty indices (1984), in order to assess the impact of NGOs’ help in reducing the level and the depth of poverty in poor households living with orphaned children. We used the Kruskal-Wallis (1952) non-parametric test to test whether the help of NGOs was significant in reducing the level and the depth of poverty in these homes. In the second approach, we use the logit econometric model to control for variables that may affect the probability of an orphaned child to be poor. Before we analysed the results of the FGT poverty indices and the logit econometric model, we started by analysing the demographic profile of all households who participated in this study in order to have knowledge of the prevailing socio-economic conditions of these households. We further compared the income of each household in... , M.Com.
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An evaluation of the role of NGO's as ABET providers in South Africa both before and after the change of Government in 1994
- Authors: Harman, Susan
- Date: 2012-01-24
- Subjects: Literacy , Literacy programs , Adult education , Non-governmental organizations
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:1937 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4297
- Description: M.A.
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- Authors: Harman, Susan
- Date: 2012-01-24
- Subjects: Literacy , Literacy programs , Adult education , Non-governmental organizations
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:1937 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4297
- Description: M.A.
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Managers perceptions of change management within a Gauteng public service sector
- Authors: Saul, Thabo Francis
- Date: 2012-06-06
- Subjects: Organisational change - Management , Corporate culture , Public administration , Non-governmental organizations , Personnel management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2532 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4987
- Description: M.Tech. , The purpose of the study was to conduct an assessment into the responses of managers with regard to organisational change within the South Africa Social Assistance Agency (SASSA). The study comprises four objectives as follows: The first objective of this study was to conduct an extensive literature review regarding the nature of the organisational change management. This entails the process through which the researcher consulted different sources such as books, journal articles, policies and programmes and others in order to conceptualize the issue of organisational change management in a detailed manner. Organisational change management is about an organised and systematic utilization of knowledge, skills, attitudes and other relevant resources for the improvement of the organisational business. Organisational change management is basically intended to enable organisations to adapt to their respective environments, failure of which can lead to their total loss of employees, competition, production and the clientele. Organisational change management has numerous features, namely; it tends to involve contradictions, it is continuous, it is interpreted through the perceptions and interactions of people and it is facilitated by a collaborative inquiry and team-work. Organisational change management is a process that must be treated like any other programme within organisations and as such, it is a responsibility of the human resource management of organisations. It is a programme that is mainly directed at improving the quality of productivity and service delivery. In this regard, organisational change management must be planned, implemented and evaluated within the parameters of the factors that influence change within organisations such as the following: the ever-demanding customers, globalization, new technology, innovation and people.
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- Authors: Saul, Thabo Francis
- Date: 2012-06-06
- Subjects: Organisational change - Management , Corporate culture , Public administration , Non-governmental organizations , Personnel management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2532 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4987
- Description: M.Tech. , The purpose of the study was to conduct an assessment into the responses of managers with regard to organisational change within the South Africa Social Assistance Agency (SASSA). The study comprises four objectives as follows: The first objective of this study was to conduct an extensive literature review regarding the nature of the organisational change management. This entails the process through which the researcher consulted different sources such as books, journal articles, policies and programmes and others in order to conceptualize the issue of organisational change management in a detailed manner. Organisational change management is about an organised and systematic utilization of knowledge, skills, attitudes and other relevant resources for the improvement of the organisational business. Organisational change management is basically intended to enable organisations to adapt to their respective environments, failure of which can lead to their total loss of employees, competition, production and the clientele. Organisational change management has numerous features, namely; it tends to involve contradictions, it is continuous, it is interpreted through the perceptions and interactions of people and it is facilitated by a collaborative inquiry and team-work. Organisational change management is a process that must be treated like any other programme within organisations and as such, it is a responsibility of the human resource management of organisations. It is a programme that is mainly directed at improving the quality of productivity and service delivery. In this regard, organisational change management must be planned, implemented and evaluated within the parameters of the factors that influence change within organisations such as the following: the ever-demanding customers, globalization, new technology, innovation and people.
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Comparative analysis of the challenges of generic engineering logistics to humanitarian logistics in disaster response and relief support in South Africa
- Bayode, Abiodun, Mbohwa, Charles, Akinlabi, Esther Titilayo
- Authors: Bayode, Abiodun , Mbohwa, Charles , Akinlabi, Esther Titilayo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Disaster management , Logistics management , Humanitarian response , Non-governmental organizations
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4723 , ISSN 978-988-19252-0-6 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11548
- Description: Logistics management has been extensively researched and implemented in the private sector, but gradually gaining traction in the humanitarian sector. Humanitarian organizations, particularly Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are the primary vehicle through which donors channel their contributions but many of these organizations face logistic challenges in effectively getting relief materials to the intended users. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key challenges affecting aid agencies in South Africa. A comparative analysis of the challenges of generic engineering logistics to humanitarian logistics in disaster response and relief support system in South Africa was also conducted. The findings from the research survey shows that there is an awareness of the importance of humanitarian logistics in the sector, but the results also show that only half (50%) of the participants of the survey reported that they have a logistics professional employed in their organization. Furthermore, only 50% of the participants of the survey indicated that their organization has a preparedness plan in place in the event of an emergency. Other challenges identified are: lack of funds; difficulty to obtain real time information and poor knowledge management system. The study also suggests that learning and forging closer ties with private organizations is an effective means of overcoming some of the identified challenges. In comparison to the generic engineering logistics, the humanitarian sector is encouraged to benchmark their operations with similar private sector to improve their services.
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- Authors: Bayode, Abiodun , Mbohwa, Charles , Akinlabi, Esther Titilayo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Disaster management , Logistics management , Humanitarian response , Non-governmental organizations
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4723 , ISSN 978-988-19252-0-6 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11548
- Description: Logistics management has been extensively researched and implemented in the private sector, but gradually gaining traction in the humanitarian sector. Humanitarian organizations, particularly Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are the primary vehicle through which donors channel their contributions but many of these organizations face logistic challenges in effectively getting relief materials to the intended users. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key challenges affecting aid agencies in South Africa. A comparative analysis of the challenges of generic engineering logistics to humanitarian logistics in disaster response and relief support system in South Africa was also conducted. The findings from the research survey shows that there is an awareness of the importance of humanitarian logistics in the sector, but the results also show that only half (50%) of the participants of the survey reported that they have a logistics professional employed in their organization. Furthermore, only 50% of the participants of the survey indicated that their organization has a preparedness plan in place in the event of an emergency. Other challenges identified are: lack of funds; difficulty to obtain real time information and poor knowledge management system. The study also suggests that learning and forging closer ties with private organizations is an effective means of overcoming some of the identified challenges. In comparison to the generic engineering logistics, the humanitarian sector is encouraged to benchmark their operations with similar private sector to improve their services.
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The utilisation of strategic alliances to establish sustainability for non-governmental organisations
- Authors: Palm, Natasha Claire
- Date: 2011-12-06
- Subjects: Strategic alliances (Business) , Non-governmental organizations
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:1854 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4211
- Description: M.Comm.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Palm, Natasha Claire
- Date: 2011-12-06
- Subjects: Strategic alliances (Business) , Non-governmental organizations
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:1854 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4211
- Description: M.Comm.
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