Great expectations : working conditions in South Africa since the end of apartheid

dc.contributor.authorPons-Vignon, Nicolas
dc.contributor.authorAnseeuw, Ward, 1974-
dc.contributor.emailward.anseeuw@up.ac.zaen_US
dc.date.accessioned2010-08-20T10:19:40Z
dc.date.available2010-08-20T10:19:40Z
dc.date.issued2009-12
dc.description.abstractThe end of apartheid created great expectations for the majority of South Africans in terms of political, but also social and economic change. At first glance, significant progress has undoubtedly taken place, beginning with the adoption of a very progressive Constitution and legislation protecting civil, economic and social rights. However, 15 years into democracy, after a fourth free general election, many feel that their expectations have not been met and their frustration is turning violent, as demonstrated by several large-scale strikes since 2006. Politically, this frustration has led to a blunt repudiation of the country’s leadership during the ANC conference of December 2007 and to Mr. Zuma’s ANC unambiguous victory during the 2009 general elections, despite the formation of a breakaway party. This article explores these frustrations through the evolutions that have taken place in the workplace – a central locus of exploitation under apartheid – since the late 1980s; it highlights the necessity of an analysis that goes beyond the sole prism of labour market legislation. Drawing on extensive empirical research, it focuses on the evolution of working conditions in three key sectors of the South African economy – mining, forestry and agriculture. It argues that the post-apartheid era has witnessed a marked increase in the precariousness of workers’ status and situations. Despite formal labour market regulation, processes of externalisation have been pervasive, turning previously oppressed wage labourers into poor, casualised workers eking a living in a liberalised economy. South Africa’s social and economic policies have decisively contributed to this outcome. The paradox is all the more significant when it is pitted against the high expectations associated with the transition; it epitomises the difficult restructuring of South African society and the uncertainty surrounding its future.en
dc.identifier.citationPons-Vignon, N & Anseeuw, W 2009, 'Great expectations : Working conditions in South Africa since the end of apartheid', Journal of Southern African Studies, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 883-899. [http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/03057070.asp]en
dc.identifier.issn0305-7070
dc.identifier.other10.1080/03057070903313236
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/14710
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherTaylor & Francisen_US
dc.rightsTaylor & Francis. This is an electronic version of an article published in Journal of Southern African Studies, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 883-899, 2009. Journal of Southern African Studies is available online at: http://www.informaworld.com.en_US
dc.subjectWorking conditionsen
dc.subject.lcshWork environment -- South Africaen
dc.subject.lcshPost-apartheid era -- South Africaen
dc.subject.lcshSouth Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-en
dc.subject.lcshSouth Africa -- Social conditionsen
dc.subject.lcshAnger in the workplace -- South Africaen
dc.titleGreat expectations : working conditions in South Africa since the end of apartheiden
dc.typePostprint Articleen

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Pons-Vignon_Great(2009).pdf
Size:
166.68 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Postprint Article

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
2.43 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: