This book contains a comparative study of the way
that South Africa and India have attempted to
alleviate poverty through their constitutions and
give effect to a person s right to social assistance
through social policy. The focus of the comparison
is on whether India s experience can inform South
Africa s emerging jurisprudence regarding the
interpretation of the right to social assistance.
Although it is accepted that the government in South
Africa is increasingly following policies which
stimulate the economy and increase employment, it is
argued that this cannot count as a state plan for
social assistance. Employment creation is, however,
vitally important in reducing the number of people
dependant upon limited state resources for social
assistance and comparisons are drawn between the
Expanded Public Works Programme and public works
programmes in India.It is also submitted that an
extended interpretation of the right to life in
South Africa, similar to India s expansion of this
right, may provide a solution for the court in
desperate cases where people are caught between
being employed and receiving state assistance.
that South Africa and India have attempted to
alleviate poverty through their constitutions and
give effect to a person s right to social assistance
through social policy. The focus of the comparison
is on whether India s experience can inform South
Africa s emerging jurisprudence regarding the
interpretation of the right to social assistance.
Although it is accepted that the government in South
Africa is increasingly following policies which
stimulate the economy and increase employment, it is
argued that this cannot count as a state plan for
social assistance. Employment creation is, however,
vitally important in reducing the number of people
dependant upon limited state resources for social
assistance and comparisons are drawn between the
Expanded Public Works Programme and public works
programmes in India.It is also submitted that an
extended interpretation of the right to life in
South Africa, similar to India s expansion of this
right, may provide a solution for the court in
desperate cases where people are caught between
being employed and receiving state assistance.