Activity 1
Figure 3.2 below is a news article on the National Budget 2012. Study the information and answer the questions that follow.

HOW MUCH IS GOING TO BE SPENT?
act 1

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL SOUTH AFRICANS
Over the long term, government aims to grow the economy so that all South Africans who wish to work can work. But given our history, it will take some time before we can reach this goal. and we urgently need to assist millions of South Africans who do not have access to an income, or who are otherwise vulnerable.

Poverty alleviation is at the heart of government’s agenda. The social assistance programme is South Africa’s most direct means of combating poverty. In 2012/13, R104.9 billion is allocated to social assistance, rising to R122.0 billion in 2014/15. The number of grant recipients will rise from about 15.6 million in 2011/12 to 16.1 million in 2012/13 and is set to rise to 16.8 million in 2014/15. The Isibindi project will benefit 858 000 children and adolescents, with a focus on rural communities, orphans and child-headed households. About 10 000 youth workers will be employed in this programme.

The Department of Social Development receives an additional R1.4 billion over the next three years, mainly to increase access to early child development from 50 000 to 580 000 and to roll out an in-house and community-based childcare and protection programme (Isibindi). 

Figure 3.2: A news article on the National Budget 2012

  1. To which economic concept does “Improving the quality of life…” refer to? (2)
  2. From the extract, name TWO macroeconomic aims (objectives) reflected in the 2011/12 Budget. (2 × 2) (4)
  3. Which THREE departments received the largest allocation according to the graph? (3 × 2) (6)
  4. Give TWO reasons why government spent more on education in 2012 than last year. (4)
  5. Name TWO priorities that are included in the money allocated for social protection. (2 × 2) (4)
    [20]

Answers to activity 1

  1. Economic development
  2. Job creation and economic growth
  3. Education Social protection Administration
  4. Infrastructure development and increase in educators’ salaries
  5. Poverty relief and skills development for orphans
    [20] 

Activity 2
Classify each of the following activities according to CENTRAL/NATIONAL; PROVINCIAL; LOCAL GOVERNMENT and PUBLIC CORPORATIONS.

  1. Traffic control (1)
  2. Denel (1)
  3. SABS (1)
  4. Inflation target (1)
  5. Telkom (1)
  6. RDP housing (1)
  7. Education (1)
    [7]

Answers to activity 2

  1. Traffic control – Local
  2. Denel – Public corporation
  3. SABS – Public corporation
  4. Inflation target – Central/National
  5. Telkom – Public
  6. RDP housing – Provincial
  7. Education – Central/National
    [7]