EXPANDING DIALOGUE
On 5 April 2000, Nedlac launched its 'Expanding Dialogue'
series. This series aims to provide constituency representatives
the opportunity to engage in informal discussion amongst themselves
and with specialists, who do not ordinarily attend Nedlac meetings,
on topics that are of relevance to the pursuit of economic growth
and social equity. The seminars will further serve to strengthen
relationships between the representatives of various organisations
in South Africa who may otherwise not be able to meet to discuss
issues of common relevance. Since the inception of the series,
approximately 150 people have participated in this programme of
expanding dialogue. Full reports on the seminars can be obtained
from "Seminars" section.
"Contribution of Stakeholder Involvement to Economic and
Social Development"
The first seminar focussed broadly on the topic of social
dialogue in South Africa. Its specific aims were to contribute to
Nedlac's research on social dialogue and social dialogue
institutions and to distill any learning that the discussion might
offer in terms of the operation of stakeholder driven bodies in
South Africa.
The speakers were Prof. Eddie Webster, director of the Sociology
of Work Unit, Wits University; Mr. Sam Morotoba, Executive Officer
of the National Skills Authority; Mr. Mel Clark, Chief Executive
Officer of the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Council and Mr. Pieter van
Niekerk, Executive Director, Human Resources of the Dorbyl
Group.
All the participants agreed that stakeholder engagement and
social dialogue were important features of the South African
economic and social policy formulation and implementation.
Participants emphasised that the search for solutions to
development and economic challenges was being considerably
furthered by new ideas that emerge through social dialogue. Others
pointed to increased social stability and trust as products of
social dialogue that were central to sustained economic growth.
Notwithstanding consensus on these benefits there was vigorous
debate over a number of the issues raised in the inputs.
Infrastructure delivery
In May, Nedlac released the results of a major three-province
survey that looked at infrastructure delivery. The provinces
surveyed were Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal and Northern Province. (See
story on back page). To co-incide with the launch of the survey, a
seminar was held to look at different perspectives on the
challenges facing infastructure delivery.
The speakers were Mr Ketso Gordhan, city manager of
Johannesburg; Ms Gugu Moloi, chief director in the Department of
Provincial Affairs and Local Government and Mr Ebrahim Hassan,
public sector researcher from the National Labour and Economic
Development Institute
The discussion identified several common themes that needed
addressing in order for infrastructure delivery to improve.
- Integration / Co-ordination
A substantial part of the discussion focussed on the
difficulties in ensuring integration of delivery. The lack of
integration undermined the development of economic and social
efficiencies and so limited the aggregate impact of government
expenditure.
- Effects of decentralisation to local government
The decentralisation of service delivery to local government
posed serious challenges for capacity in that sphere of
government.
Forging partnerships between government and communities was
noted as essential to ensuring that delivery met communities'
immediate needs and that projects agreed were sustainable given
levels of income in communities.
Some participants felt that existing institutional arrangements
did not facilitate effective expression of interests. Some
institutions are too broad; others only 'hear certain voices'.
The delivery of infrastructure to rural communities was
identified as an ongoing need. The possibility of effective
transfer of land to poor communities was raised as one option for
reducing the long-term cost of infrastructure and service
delivery.
The discussion noted that local government faced an array of
regulations that limited effective service delivery. Participants
highlighted tender regulations and processes as slowing and
reducing the efficacy of delivery.
- Type of social service delivery
The type of service delivery most appropriate to alleviating
poverty was discussed. The possibility of a basic income transfer
to households was raised as one form of addressing poverty.
Globalisation, corporatism and workplace
change
In June, Nedlac was fortunate to be able to host internationally
renowned speaker on globalisation, Manuel Castells, Professor of
Sociology and Planning at the University of California, Berkley. He
was joined by Martin Carnoy, Professor of Education and Economics
at Stanford University.
Respondents to Professor Castells were Ebrahim Patel, General
Secretary of the South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union
and Zav Rustomjee, special advisor to the Minister of Trade and
Industry, and the discussion was chaired by the Chairman of
Business South Africa, Andre Lamprecht.
In his input, Professor Castells focussed on the manifestations
of globalisation and the consequences for developing countries.
Professor Carnoy focussed on the role of the state during this era
of globalisation.
The implications of globalisation for governance formed a large
part of the evening's discussion. Professor Castells noted that
while globalisation was a force of tremendous innovation, in its
current form it also led to widening inequality in the world. He
further argued that it was essential that ways be found to harness
globalisations power to tackle the enormous poverty that continued
to characterise life for many.
Ebrahim Patel noted that trade unions continued to represent the
strongest organisation of civil society power. However, in this
period it was essential that it built links with other expressions
of civil society groupings. Further, they could no longer afford to
be solely nationally focussed but needed to take cognisance and
organise in response to developments on a global scale.
The seminar concluded that a major gap had emerged between the
expansion of the new economy and the social institutions necessary
to harness the energies of that system to ensure development. One
of the greatest challenges of globalisation for social agents was
rebuilding institutions to mirror the economic transformation that
was underway. The chairperson, Andre Lamprecht noted that the
Nedlac parties had an obligation to find creative solutions to the
challenges of this new era.
In the coming months, Nedlac's roundtable discussions will
continue to focus on the challenges of socio-economic development
in a globalised world.