Introduction
Globalization is defined as “A set of processes leading to the integration of economic, cultural, political, and social systems across geographical boundaries” (HSE). As the above definition states, globalization results in the incorporation of different agents and annihilation of geographical borders, therefore, leading to a political, economic, cultural, and social change in the whole world.
However, this paper will be dealing with the effects of globalization on South Africa, taking into consideration various aspects.
Colonization and Its Impact On Globalization
South Africa has been colonized since the 14th century, during which various western powers exploited the human resources of Africa through slave labor and didn’t pay much attention to mineral and stone mining.
“In April 1880, Rhodes and Rudd launched the De Beers Mining Company after the amalgamation of a number of individual claims” (Wikipedia), having the support and backing of the British government through which they earned millions of dollars by mining precious stones like diamonds and exploiting them for their own profits. Cecil Rhodes also entered the political scene of South Africa in 1890 and introduced the “Glen Grey Act to push black people from their lands and make way for industrial development”(Wikipedia). He also founded the British South Africa Company (BSA) that was to play a leading role in the colonization of central Africa. This company employed people from Britain and brought them to Africa to settle down that led to the rule of the white minority till the 1990s. British introduced the apartheid law in 1948 that gave the majority of the black second-grade citizen rank, separating them in every right and activity from the whites till 1994.
Throughout the centuries of colonization, South Africans were deprived of their rights, generation after generation working as slaves and not getting their due share of compensation. The conquering countries, whether be it Britain or Netherlands, fully exploited the South African land and its people.
Trade Concerns
The trade account of South Africa is currently in deficit, it as $391m as of March 2007, slightly lower than expected, as both its import and export have risen. However, the growth pace of exports has been faster than imports. The leading export industries have been semi-precious and precious stones and mechanical equipment.
The trade issues concerning South Africa are the conditions on trade agreements with European Union and other countries. One prime example is European Union; European Union can access 90% of South African markets as opposed to 50% of South Africa’s access to its markets applying strict regulations and laws that even 50% market is inaccessible. Furthermore, European Union imports raw materials from South Africa and not its value-added goods decreasing South Africa’s amount of exports.
The trade agreements with United States, European Union, and other developed countries are allowing them access to South African land and resources in return for minimum concessions, and since the majority of the land is owned by the white minority, these agreements will further decrease the chances of black locals owning the land and having their dreams come true of equal rights.
Energy And Environmental Concerns
As of 2003, South Africa was consuming 496,000 barrels per day of oil, producing 194,600 barrels per day consequently importing 274,400 barrels. However, it was exporting 73.7mmst of coal in 2002, and its electricity consumption was within its generation range according to the figures of 2002. The total energy consumption of South Africa as of 2002 was 4.5 quadrillion Btu that is approximately 1.11% of the world’s energy consumption. On the basis of these figures, South Africa imports oil, exports coal, and is self-sufficient in electricity usage. Therefore, South Africa is not producing energy to fulfill its requirements.
The main environmental concerns of South Africa are water pollution, lack of fresh, clean water availability, and air pollution. South African government, in collaboration with Non-governmental organizations, has taken many steps to control the environmental change and apply renewable and alternative energy sources. One such example is the application of solar water heaters in Cape Town, with plans of 10% of the city using them by 2010.
The government has introduced various acts like “the Dumping At Sea Control Act, the National Coastal Management Policy, the Energy White Paper, the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act, and the National Water Act and National Environmental Management Act”(National state), and measures are also been taken to create awareness among the masses.
There are lots of environmental advocacy groups like The African Center for Biosafety and environmental advocacy group Bio watch, South African Environmental Observatory Network (SAEON) and etc.
Issues Of Immigration, Refugees, And Racism
The immigration policy of the South African government after the apartheid era has become strict. This can be illustrated in the number of people been granted permanent visas in the 1990’s “from around 14,000 per annum at the beginning of the decade to less than 4,000 by the end of it”. Similarly, the conditions for refugees are hard as well, 63,000 people have applied for asylum since 1994, and only 13000 have been granted refugee status. A new refugee act was passed in 1998 that dismissed the earlier aliens control act, which was discriminating. Though after the introduction of the new act, discrimination against blacks has decreased, the procedure has become strict, and conditions are difficult as no welfare support is given, and the refugees can’t work or acquire education till after they have attained refugee status.
All these conditions and figures prove that the South African government discourages refugees and only gives permanent visas to highly qualified and selected individuals. The main reason for the strict immigration and asylum policy of the South African government is that there are lots of uneducated and unskilled local people who are unemployed, and first consideration has to be given to them in jobs rather than unskilled foreign labor.
Social Policy And Inequality
“The official unemployment rate is now 31%, and is even higher among black South Africans (37%)”. Income disparity in South Africa is one of the largest, “with over 50% of the total population, mostly black South Africans, living below the poverty line”(Crush, 2003). Approximately 66.6% of total income is earned by 20% of the population, leaving the poorest 20% with only 2% of total income. Women are at a bigger loss in terms of wages as they earn 55% less than men.
The government is taking steps to eradicate poverty and provide clean water; 10m of the population has been provided access to clean water, and the deadline has been set for 2008 to provide the remaining 7% with clean water. One of the major reasons for the decline in employment has been the reduction in manpower by many local companies so that they can compete in the global. However, this situation seems to be changing, as there has been an increment in the privatization of various industries of South Africa; many analysts assume that unemployment rates will decrease and the standard of living will increase.
The literacy rate of South Africa was around 85.5% in 2000. The average life expectancy is 53 years; this short life duration of South African is due to the fact that 21.5% of its population between the ages of 15 to 49 is infected with HIV/AIDS as of 2003. However, many programs related to health awareness have been initiated by the government and various non-governmental organizations.
Food And Agriculture Issues
The gross value of South Africa’s agriculture production was 68,997,194,000 Rands in 2003. According to the department of trade and tourism, “South Africa is not only self-sufficient in virtually all major agricultural products but is also a net food exporter”(South African agriculture). The export of Agricultural products contributed around 8% towards the total exports of the country in 2003.
The total number of deaths of children under the age of 5 is 74,000 as of 2005. Reports also suggest that 12% of all children under the age of 5 suffer from the unavailability of food and are underweight. These figures show that children are not getting enough food to survive, and exports should be stopped, as locals should be fed first before exporting.
Human And Labor Rights
According to human rights watch, “Between April 2005 and March 2006, 54,926 rapes and attempted rapes and 9,805 indecent assaults were reported to the South African Police Services (SAPS)”. (US AID)
Farmers are the most abused labor force in South Africa, often getting less than minimum ages, working overtime without consent and remuneration of any kind and etc. foreign labor also suffers from workplace discrimination as many aren’t given compensations to their funds by their employers.
However, laws and steps have both been issued and regulated to ensure that violation of human rights in form won’t occur.
Bibliography
- Globalization. Glossary. HSE web Depot.
- Cecil Rhodes. (2007). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Web.
- How are we responding to environmental change, and is it effective? National states of environmental report South Africa.
- Crush, Jonathan. (2003). South Africa: New Nation, New Migration Policy? Migration Information Source.Web.
- South African Agriculture.
- South Africa.