THE ROLE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

SOUTH AFRICA-like all other countries-is changing in many ways all the time. However, the international interest in the process of change in South Africa is not related to this obvious fact, but to two other perceptions: first, the realization that South Africa is undergoing a very rapid process of transition from a predominantly rural and agricultural society to one which is basically urban and industrial, with the unique pressures and dangers which are linked to that process; and, secondly, an awareness that the political structures of the country have in the past contained (and still do contain) major elements of discrimination and injustice, which require to be eliminated during the process of modernization and change. This perception has attracted a unique level and kind of international interest in change in South Africa. In these circumstances, it is clear that the process of change presently in hand in South Africa is likely to be complex, and brought about by a range of forces and agencies rather than by political intervention alone. Even apparently 'cosmetic' changes, brought about in response to specific situations, sometimes turn out, in retrospect, to have signalled major shifts of attitude and practice on which really meaningful changes can later be based. An example of this is the granting of 99 year leaseholds to blacks in urban areas in 1978 and the easing of restrictions on black businessmen progressively since about the same time. The implication of both changes was that blacks were increasingly recognized as permanent urban dwellers, a recognition which (in turn) created pressure for other changes, and has finally led to the creation of genuine local government structures and to massive changes in the country's housing policy. Time introduces its own dimension into judgements of 'meaningful change', as well as the apparent magnitude of importance of a given change at a given time. A second factor to be borne in mind in assessing the current South African situation is the distinction between simple change and 'reform'. The essential difference between the two is surely that of intention. Changes occur or are forced upon us; but reform must be purposefully implemented. At present, the debate rages about the relative degrees of 'change' or 'reform' in South Africa. Within the Urban Foundation we have had perforce to give much attention to this issue, and have reached the conclusion that the final touchstone in this regard has to be one's own value assumptions. In our view-a view