Social stability and the strategic relevance of health and welfare in South Africa

The New South Africa that was launched in February 1992 is regarded by many South Africans and the international community as 'the inevitable to come true', and as the 'levelling of the playing field;, from which a new democratic, peaceful and prosperous social order would emerge. Although the new political dispensation was and still is often hailed as a moral victory for the oppressed over the oppressor, dedicated planning on all levels of community life is imperative if the New South Africas is to delivery its cargo of intentions to improve thequality of life of South Africans. The understanding of the strategic value of health and welfare and the transformations that need to take place, and are already taking place, requires an appreciation of the following: social ordering, social regulations and survival of society; the realities that confront us; and paradigm shifts and transformation.