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SA Election 2009 Special Report
NEWS
ANC holding key NEC meeting
The ANC is holding its quarterly NEC meeting, to discuss the outcome of the elections and how to implement its election manifesto.
FEATURES
Cabinet to tackle Zuma pledges
Analysts say the new Cabinet matches President Jacob Zuma's pledges to smash poverty and boost development, but enormous challenges remain.
MULTIMEDIA
INTERACTIVE
Find out, in brief, the IFP's policies on the economy, health, HIV/Aids, crime, education, land issues, the environment, housing, foreign affairs, agriculture and the youth.
Economy
The IFP says it is crucial that South Africa maximises economic growth, and believes that the country can grow the economy by eight percent or more. This can be done by drastically improving the skills base; promoting the SMME sector; making labour laws easier for small businesses; expanding the role of development finance institutions; improving infrastructure and being more investor-friendly.
Health
The IFP wants citizens to have access to affordable, quality health services. Better remuneration, adequate staff levels and appropriate equipment levels will improve primary health care. The IFP also plans to decentralise powers and health functions to provincial, district and local governments.
HIV/Aids
The IFP wants the government to apologise for its "anti-intellectual, anti-scientific and pro-quackery" leadership in respect of HIV and Aids. The IFP advocates abstinence, delayed sexual debut, fewer sexual partners, more condom use and a greater emphasis on fidelity in marriage as the most effective tools for prevention of HIV infection.
The IFP will upgrade the health system and rollout of ARVs, and promote routine blood testing in schools to de-stigmatise HIV. It will also issue compulsory licences for the local production or importation of generic HIV and Aids drugs.
Crime
The IFP says it is government's responsibility to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.
The party promises to reinstate the Scorpions; protect the integrity and independence of the judiciary and introduce timeframes to improve courts. More police must be trained and adequate resources and working conditions must be provided, appointments must be de-politicised; the causes of crime should be better addressed, and more focus should be placed on victims' rights.
The IFP also says hard labour should be reintroduced for certain categories of crime, and more efforts must be made to rehabilitate junior offenders.
Education
The IFP says education is in a state of crisis in South Africa, and needs a diversified education system that properly caters for the vocational, technical and academic needs of the country.
It wants free education up to and including Grade 12. Tertiary education must be more affordable. Well-qualified, well-paid and highly motivated educators must be trained and developed. OBE must be radically reviewed. The IFP also seeks discipline, for both learners and educators, to be returned to schools.
Land issues
The IFP believes common solutions should be found between claimants, tenants, workers and owners, to build common purpose as opposed to provoking division.
Land forums should be established, more state-owned land should be redistributed; and more funding must be budgeted for land reform programmes.
Foreign affairs
South Africa plays an integral part on the African continent and in the global community, and the IFP believes major challenges facing Africa must be addressed. Lessons from the African Peer Review Mechanism must be learnt, and regional bodies such as SADC, the AU and Pan African Parliament must be strengthened. South Africa should also play a greater part in conflict resolution and promoting constitutionalism, good governance and transparency in Africa, and be more vocal in dealing with governments which don?t respect human rights, such as Zimbabwe.
Environment
The IFP believes that legislation and regulatory controls and safeguards must be instituted to ensure the protection of environmental resources and promoting biodiversity. It endorses international treaties and guidelines to sustainable development, and promotes alternative energy forms.
Housing
The IFP believes housing and essential services must be delivered to the poor in both rural and urban areas. This must be based on the best use of available resources; the affordability of households, access to bond finance; the proximity to economic opportunities, and the durability of building materials used. People must also be helped to help themselves.
Agriculture
The IFP believes that farming must provide food for the nation and provide a satisfactory standard of living for rural families. The productivity of the land and environment must be preserved. The IFP also believes the neglect of the past must be rectified. It wants small co-operatives established to help emerging farmers and access to loan funds for farmers.
Youth
The values which underlie the IFP's youth policy include respect for human rights, freedom, tolerance, unselfishness, honesty and respect for law and order, and those in authority.
The IFP proposes a voluntary youth service, which will help combat disease, poverty and ignorance. The youth policy also encourages strong families and communities, positive role models, self-reliance and the promotion of social justice.
Find out more about the policies of other parties:
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