Human Rights and Socio-economic Transformation in South Africa

Ngang, Carol Chi

doi:10.1007/s12142-021-00617-1

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…However Van Reenen and Combrink (2011) argue that progress in incorporation of the principles of the CRPD in African countries, including South Africa has been slow, bordering on neglect. Ngang (2021) , in examining the government’s apparent disassociation from its constitutional commitments to meeting the socio-economic rights of its people including access to healthcare, social security and education, argues that a human rights approach is central to socio-economic transformation in South Africa. The right to education for all children, including those with disabilities like ASD is enshrined in Section 29 of the Constitution of South Africa and government therefore has a legal obligation to provide timely access to education for these children.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘We are doing damage control’: Government stakeholder perspectives of educational and other services for children with autism spectrum disorder in South Africa

Pillay

Duncan

Vries

2022

Autism

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Autism spectrum disorder is a growing public health concern in low-and middle-income countries that has prompted a World Health Organization resolution on ‘ comprehensive and coordinated efforts for management of autism spectrum disorder’. Despite being a signatory of the resolution, South Africa does not have any national policies to guide the management of autism spectrum disorder services. This study explored the perspectives of key government stakeholders on educational and other services for children with autism spectrum disorder in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and their proposed solutions to meet the needs of autistic children and their families. The overarching theme that emerged was ‘We are doing damage control’. Government stakeholders acknowledged that autism spectrum disorder services were falling between the ‘cracks’ caused by competing societal demands on government resources. Participants shared perspectives about autism spectrum disorder services in three categories: a cracked society, siloed service systems and gap-filling strategies. Findings from this study highlighted the need for collaborative efforts between government departments and civil society to develop a strategy for autism spectrum disorder in line with the World Health Organization resolution. Multistakeholder engagement to break down barriers, strengthen systems and develop innovative solutions to improving services for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families is recommended. Lay abstract Autism spectrum disorder is a growing public health concern in low- and middle-income countries like South Africa where there are no plans or policies in place for autism spectrum disorder management. Many children with autism spectrum disorder in South Africa are out of schools and waiting for school placement to become available. This study explored the perspectives of key government stakeholders on educational and other services for children with autism spectrum disorder in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and their suggestion for improving services for these children and their families. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with government stakeholders from the Western Cape Department of Education, Department of Health and the Department of Social development. The main theme that emerged was ‘We are doing damage control’. Government stakeholders acknowledged that autism spectrum disorder services were being overlooked because of other demands on government resources. Finding from this study highlighted the need for government departments to work together to develop a strategy for autism spectrum disorder management. Engagement between government and civil society to break down barriers, strengthen systems and develop solutions to improving access to services for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families is recommended.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘We are doing damage control’: Government stakeholder perspectives of educational and other services for children with autism spectrum disorder in South Africa

Pillay

Duncan

Vries

2022

Autism

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“…64 Accountability is required to formulate policies and programmes to attain accepted norms, so as to ensure the implementation of human rights. 65 The commitment of the state to university education remains in doubt because of the impact of corruption on the adequacy of resource commitment. The United Nations human rights instruments admit that corruption affects every recognised human right, including the right to education.…”

Section: A State's Obligation To Enforce the Right To Educationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Policies to Prevent Corruption in Nigeria: Enforcement of the Right to Education

Olayinka

2023

JACL

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This paper investigates how well Nigeria conforms to international best practices on the right to education. The quality of education that is available to Nigerians is affected by inadequate budgetary allocation, which is compounded by mismanagement of scarce resources and generally by corrupt practices. Education at the level of the primary, secondary and tertiary levels suffers on account of corruption, despite government propaganda that the state provides adequate educational opportunities at the three tiers of education. Attempts to prosecute and punish acts of corruption have failed consistently. Nigeria is a signatory to international and regional instruments which have influenced it to enact national anti-corruption legislation. However, the political will of successive governments to fight corruption remains on the decrease, particularly when a government itself is a product of corrupt practices. Such a government appoints politicians to the councils of the universities as a reward for political patronage and with a view to recouping the huge sums expended on elections. Anti-corruption laws are sidelined, regulations are compromised and the anti-corruption crusade fails. This results in education being the responsibility of unqualified teaching staff working with poor quality teaching infrastructure. The enforcement of the right to education is undermined. In order to salvage the education sector, it is submitted that Nigeria’s anti-corruption crusade should emphasise preventive measures. A university should be autonomous in respect of its objectives and finances. When funds allocated to education are safe from misappropriation, the right to education may be enforced properly.

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“…The inclusion of these rights, over and above the standard set of civil and political rights, defines the South African constitution as progressive. Indeed Liebenberg and Goldblatt (2007: 338) and Ngang (2014) define the South African constitution as transformative in intention. Nevertheless, what is noticeable is that a number of the socioeconomic rights are qualified by the availability of resources to the state.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to a quite well-developed literature on socioeconomic rights in the South African context (see Bilchitz 2015;Brand 2011;Jagwanth and Soltau 2014;Klaasen 2020;Kornienko 2017;Liebenberg 2002Liebenberg , 2006Liebenberg , 2014Liebenberg , 2021Liebenberg and Goldblatt 2007;Mubangizi 2006;Ngang 2014), there is some academic literature that examines economic aspects of the realization of socioeconomic rights (see Beukus and Fourie 1988;Bilchitz 2014;Chetty 2002;Dawson 2014;Pillay and Wesson 2014;Warwick 2016). Relevant to this paper is the work by Bilchitz (2014), Dawson (2014), and Warwick (2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%