Public works programme in South Africa: Coming to terms with reality∗

This paper is an abridged and revised version of a report entitled: “The State and the poor: The feasibility of investigating a public works programme as part of a national manpower development strategy in South Africa”, which was prepared under the auspices of the HSRC. The authors are grateful for the financial support of the HSRC.

Abstract

This paper discusses the merits and demerits of public works programmes in general as well as in the specific context of South Africa. Insofar as the latter is concerned the paper recommends basic guidelines that may be regarded as prerequisites for the implementation of such a programme in this country. With regard to the proposed guidelines, the South African Government's 1985 unemployment relief package is examined critically.

In conclusion, the paper favours the introduction of a well‐conceived and adequately scaled programme of public works as a powerful means of combating unemployment and alleviating widespread poverty in the country.

Notes

School of Economics, University of Cape Town.

This paper is an abridged and revised version of a report entitled: “The State and the poor: The feasibility of investigating a public works programme as part of a national manpower development strategy in South Africa”, which was prepared under the auspices of the HSRC. The authors are grateful for the financial support of the HSRC.