South Africa
OVERVIEW
Fourteen years after the end of apartheid, the South African Government remains committed to upholding the rights of all citizens and continues to invest heavily in its people. South Africa plays a key economic and political role in Africa, but unemployment, HIV/AIDS, crime, and growing public sector corruption undermine public support for the country's hard-won democracy. The South African Government must ensure that the epic changes made since the country's first democratic elections in 1994 are consolidated and benefit most citizens. USAID focuses on strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises, creating employment, strengthening health systems, and addressing HIV/AIDS. And as progress is made, USAID is re-directing or phasing out its long-term programs in education, democracy and governance, and municipal service provision.
PROGRAMS
GOVERNING JUSTLY AND DEMOCRATICALLY
USAID is winding down its community court program, which has improved management efficiency and significantly decreased case backlogs. As a final activity, USAID will support the formulation of a policy document and subsequent legislation that will promote the efficient governance of community courts. USAID is also assisting victims of violence, especially rape, under the Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative. A countrywide analysis of gender-based violence which high-incidence areas and looked at the quality of services provided to victims to establish basic standards. In 2008, the Initiative refurbished four "Thuthutuzela" care centers to ensure that victims receive comprehensive assistance including medical examination, counseling, and statement-taking in a secure environment. In 2009, seven new centers will be established in targeted areas.
INVESTING IN PEOPLE: HEALTH
South Africa is home to more HIV-positive people than any other country. In 2008, there are at least 1.4 million South African children orphaned because of HIV/AIDS. Under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, USAID provides treatment for 379,278 people and care for 920,634. It also builds management and technical capacity to address the epidemic. USAID works with businesses to establish workplace policies and provide treatment to employees, and nongovernmental and faith-based partners train local residents and support hospices that are helping people with HIV/AIDS. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS has fueled a concurrent tuberculosis epidemic and a growing incidence of multiple and extensive drug-resistant tuberculosis. With support from USAID, the government provided treatment to more than 165,000 people in 2007. USAID also works with the Department of Social Development and nongovernmental organizations to assist 329,120 orphans and vulnerable children and their caregivers. Finally, USAID gives medication to pregnant women to prevent them from passing the virus to their babies and encourages youth to practice safe behavior.
INVESTING IN PEOPLE: EDUCATION
For the last 14 years, USAID has worked with the Department of Education and other partners to develop new school curricula and training methods, boost students' abilities in math and science, and train teachers at 102 disadvantaged high schools. USAID is also working with the Further Education and Training institutions-which produce urgently needed skilled workers-to ensure industry-relevant career paths for students and increase the interaction between graduates and the private sector firms that employ them.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
Despite impressive economic growth, unemployment remains high-it was estimated between 23 and 35.8 percent in 2007. USAID technical assistance and training to help black-owned and -managed small businesses to identify new markets, increase production, improve management capacity, and secure financing to expand and create sustainable private sector employment. USAID has also increased access to finance by signing a $34-million Development Credit Authority Guaranty Agreement with the First National Bank. The loan facility targets black farmers and agribusinesses, providing commodity input finance and long-term land and infrastructure improvement loans. USAID also supported the development of a National Credit Register to expand the credit data available to lenders.
Almost 10 million historically disadvantaged South Africans still live in urban slums that lack basic services. USAID programs increase access to safe, decent housing and municipal services, and support policies that improve urban management and human development. Since 2002, the program has reached 3.4 million poor households with improved or first-time housing, water, sanitation, and electricity. The final phase of the program will help the government meet its pledge of eliminating the bucket sanitation system in formal settlements. USAID is also working with key municipalities to increase their capacity to effectively manage the delivery of services, including clean water, to underserved areas.
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