Life Orientation

Social and Environmental

Responsibility

Snenhlanhla Mncube
Grade10L
Landbou Hoerskool
Table of Contents

Introduction pg 1
Activity 1 Data gathering pg 2
Activity 2 Data gathering pg 3
Findings pg 4-8
Conclusion pg 9
Bibliography pg 10
 Introduction
In this project I will touch on
pressing matters dealing with
Social issues and Community
participation .Social issues like
unqual access to basic resources
,social issues are when the
important services like healthcare,
education, clean water, and
sanitation are not shared equally
among people, which causes
unfairness in society, limits
people’s chances to improve their
lives, and keeps poverty going.
ACTIVITY 1
Data
gathering

ACTIVITY 2
Data
gathering
ACTIVITY 2
FINDINGS
ACTIVITY 1
FINDINGS

1 2345
6789
 1.1 I have chosen unequal access to basic Resources
,Unequal access to basic resources is a huge issue that
I've seen firsthand in our country. It's a problem that
isn't new, but it's been around forever, and it feels like
it's been ignored for too long. I believe it's time we start
talking about it more so we can finally find some real
solutions.
1.2
Spatial planning forced Black South Africans to live far
away from cities in townships and homelands. This made
it harder for them to access jobs, good schools, and
hospitals, and this inequality still exists today.
Education system is unequal. Schools in poorer areas lack
funding, good teachers, and resources, which limits
opportunities and keeps the cycle of poverty going.
Big gap between the rich and poor, people with low
incomes can't afford basic resources. This problem gets
worse due to poor-paying jobs and taxes that take a
bigger percentage from the poor than from the rich.
Colonialism set up systems that exploited countries for
their resources. This created unfair structures where a
small, powerful group got rich, while most people were
left without control over their own resources.

1.3 Consequences of Unequal acesss to basic Resources on an individual

Health Problems: Lack of access to clean water, food, and healthcare leads
to more sickness and a shorter life.
Limited Opportunities: Without good education and skills, it's very hard for
people to get good jobs, which keeps them in a cycle of poverty.
Social Exclusion: Being denied basic resources can make individuals feel left
out and isolated from their communities, affecting their mental health.
1.3 Consequences of Unequal acesss to basic Resources on the community
Increased Crime and Conflict: Competition for limited resources can lead to
tension and violence within a community.
Poor Economic Growth: When many people lack the health and skills needed
to work, the entire community's economy suffers.
Social Instability: Unequal access can break down trust and cooperation,
leading to a divided and unstable community.
1.4
How the following concepts could help fight social challenges
Encouraging positive behavior: It promotes actions like recycling, volunteering,
and donating to charity, which directly address social and environmental
challenges.
Building unity: The core belief of "I am because we are" encourages
compassion, empathy, and working together for the common good.
Raising awareness: Activists use protests, marches, and social media to bring
attention to important issues like racial injustice or inequality.
Improving access: It pushes for policies and programs that ensure everyone
has access to basic human rights like education, healthcare, and safe
housing.
1.5 The extent to which the government had contributed to
Social grants The government has created one of the world's most extensive
social grant systems.
t It provides direct financial assistance to millions of vulnerable people,
including the elderly, people with disabilities, and children.
The government's National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) provides a
free, nutritious meal to millions of learners in the poorest schools (Quintiles
1-3) every day.
The government has introduced no-fee schools, which are public schools in
poorer areas (Quintiles 1-3) where parents do not have to pay school fees.
The government provides a public healthcare system that is primarily
funded by taxes and offers free or low-cost services to the majority of the
population.It has focused on expanding access to clinics and hospitals and
runs large-scale programs to combat diseases like HIV/AIDS and
tuberculosis. The planned National Health Insurance (NHI) aims to create a
more equitable healthcare system for all.
The government provides housing subsidies for low-income citizens to help
them buy or build their first homes.It has also created numerous RDP
(Reconstruction and Development Programme) and BNG (Breaking New
Ground) housing projects to provide free or highly subsidized housing to
poor families.
 Bibiblography
1.https://tips.org.za/images/Tand
IPS_Working_Paper_Inequality_in_South_Af
rica_An_Overview_September_2020.pdf pg
30 & 22
2.Kirsten Henderson, Michel Loreau.
Unequal access to resources undermines
global sustainability. Science of the Total
Environment, 2021, 763, pp.142981.
฀
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142981.฀
3.https://download.ssrn.com/ pg16 and 11
,22
4.Unqual qual lives health and soci ‘
economic inqualites pg 44
5.https://www.studocu.com/
6.https://www.researchgate.net/pg 8-9
7.habitatmidohio.
 Table 11. Wealth Inequality in Selected Countries
Wealth Gini
Country Income Gini Year
(2000)
Argentina 74.0 50.1 2005
Australia 62.2 31.2 2003
Bangladesh 65.8 33.5 1996
Brazil 78.3 56.6 2004
Canada 66.3 31.5 2000
China 55.0 44.9 2003
France 73.0 27.8 2000
Germany 67.1 31.1 2004
India 66.9 36.5 1997
Indonesia 76.3 39.6 1996
Italy 60.9 33.3 2000
Japan 54.7 31.9 1998
South Korea 57.9 37.2 1998
Mexico 74.8 49.9 2004
Nigeria 73.5 52.2 1996
Pakistan 69.7 39.8 1996
Spain 56.5 33.6 2000
Taiwan 65.4 33.9 2003
Thailand 70.9 42.7 2001
United States 80.1 46.4 2004
68.0 37.3 1998
VietNam
Source: Davies et al. (2008:9)

Having teased out some of the broader trends and implications of income and other inequalities
at the global level, the following sections turn to income inequality at the regional and country
levels.

4. Income Inequality across Regions

The recent publication of the Standardized World Income Inequality Database (SWIID) (Solt
2009) allows us to compare the evolution of income inequality in a sample of 141 countries
from 1990-2008 using Gini indices (see Box 2 for a discussion on Gini indices).

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 Table 10. Summary Results of Income Distribution by Income Levels, 1990-2007
(or latest available) in PPP constant 2005 international dollars*
Low-income Middle-income High-income
1990 2000 2007 1990 2000 2007 1990 2000 2007
Q5 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 47.1 46.5 48.1 64.9 58.0 55.2 44.2 45.4 44.4
# of observations 21.3 21.9 22.4 16.4 19.9 20.6 23.5 23.0 22.9
% of global population 14.7 14.8 14.1 9.4 11.2 12.2 16.0 15.7 16.0
% of global GDP 10.5 10.4 10.5 5.9 7.0 7.4 10.8 10.5 11.2
% of sample population 6.3 6.4 4.9 3.4 4.0 4.7 5.5 5.3 5.4
% of sample GDP 31 26 17 49 70 74 33 31 31
4.8 7.9 9.9 66.1 69.3 69.0 15.2 14.0 13.5
0.6 0.8 1.0 29.7 32.0 38.5 55.0 54.5 49.1
5.6 8.6 10.7 76.8 76.0 74.7 17.7 15.4 14.6
0.7 1.0 1.2 34.8 36.7 43.4 64.5 62.4 55.4
Source: Authors’ calculations using World Bank (2011), UNU-WIDER (2008) and Eurostat (2011)
* According to the global accounting model

While most of middle-income countries increased inequality in recent years, it is important to

note that middle classes and—to a lesser extent—poorer-income groups seem to be getting an
increasing share of income in recent years. This advance is still vulnerable and needs to be
quickly accelerated in the 21st century (Ravallion 2009).

Middle classes and poorer-income groups appear to be doing worse in both low- and high-
income countries—for the benefit of the richest quintile. This has generated debate on how
states need to meet the welfare needs of all of their citizens, including the middle classes
who are critical for nation building (Birdsall 2010). From an equity point of view, what is
clear is that growth and development should not only be “pro-rich,” as it tends to be now,
but ensure equitable outcomes for all. For lower-income countries, this implies evolving
from “poverty reduction” to “inclusive development” (Deacon 2010).

F. Alternative metrics: Wealth distribution

It is important to note that income inequality measures, which are often based on household
consumption, do not capture other household wealth, such as financial assets, real estate and
savings instruments that high income groups commonly possess. Some recent studies do
include metrics for wealth, and they offer an even more unequal depiction of our world (Table
11). For instance, ILO (2008:44) estimates that the global Gini index based on wealth was 89.2
in 2000, a number which is significantly higher than most measures of global income inequality.
And according to UNU-WIDER, the top ten percent of adults own 85 percent of global
household wealth; the average member of the top decile has nearly 3,000 times the mean
wealth of the bottom decile (Davies et al. 2008:7).

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 5. Income Inequality at the National Level

Looking at income distribution quintile estimates using recent data, some of the highest national
disparities are found in countries like Colombia, Nepal, Russia and Zambia, despite recent
governments’ efforts to address it, while some of the most equal societies are found in countries
like Australia, Azerbaijan, France and Sweden (Figure 17).

Figure 17. Snapshot of High and Low Inequality in Selected Countries, 2007 (or latest available)
(A) High Inequality (B) Low Inequality

Q5 Q5

Q4 Q4

Q3 Colombia Q3
Australia
Nepal
Q2 Azerbaijan
Russia Q2
Zambia France
Q1 Q1 Sweden

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Source: World Bank (2011), UNU-WIDER (2008) and Eurostat (2011)

Such differences could lead us to think that equality is a result of fast or sustained GDP growth
over long periods of time. However, this is not necessarily the case. Income distribution data in
China, India and the United States, which have ranked among the largest and strongest growing
economies in the world over the past decades, suggest otherwise (Figure 18). In all three cases,
significant and sustained economic growth (annual GDP per capita growth of 9.8, 6.0 and 3.1
percent, respectively, between 1990 and 2005) has not led to more equal societies, but rather
made the rich relatively richer and the poor relatively poorer (see top and bottom quintiles).

Figure 18. GDP Growth and High Inequality in Selected Countries, 1990-2005
(A)China (B)India (C) United States

Q5 Q5 Q5

Q4 Q4 Q4

Q3 Q3 Q3 1990

Q2 Q2 Q2
1995
2000
Q1 Q1 Q1
2005
0 10 20 30 40 50 0 10 20 30 40 50 0 10 20 30 40 50
Source: World Bank (2011) and UNU-WIDER (2008)

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 Figure 23. Income Inequality and Political Stability in 141 Countries, 2008
70 ZAF NAM
Gini Index, 2008 (or latest available)

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10
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2

Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism, 2008

Sources: Authors’ calculations using Solt (2009) and Kaufmann et al. (2009)
Note: -2.5 is high political instability and politically-motivated violence/terrorism; 2.5 is the absence of

D. Leads to severer social inequalities, especially among children

In addition to poorer growth, more health and social problems, and greater political instability,
income inequality is also associated with graver social inequalities, among children in particular.
UNICEF’s 2010 Report Card 9 (UNICEF 2010a)9 offers a compelling analysis of social inequalities
in terms of child well-being by assessing three dimensions of inequality—including material,
education and health—among a sample of rich countries. Given our interest in understanding
the relationship between income and different social disparities, we adjust the overall child
equality score by removing the material indicator and re-calculating country scores based on
education and health scores alone.10 This gives us a good estimate for levels of basic education
and health inequality among 24 OECD countries, which we then compare to income inequality
as measured by Gini index values (Figure 24). The data reveal a strong negative relationship
between greater income inequality and lower levels of education and health inequalities as
experienced by children (ρ = -0.28).

9
The Report Card series is founded on the premise that a country’s real economic and social progress is gauged by
how well it cares for its children—their health and safety, material security, education and socialization, and
inclusion in society, among others.
10
National education scores are based on literacy in reading, math and science, and national health scores reflect
self-reported health complaints, healthy eating and physical activity.

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clustered into seven principles for enacting production and consumption. Human sus-
strategic CSR. These principles could serve tainability involves creating an equitable,
as a guiding stimulus for other organizations developmental, and healthy workplace for
intent on discovering and capitalizing on employees, as well as adding value to stake-
their unique opportunities to do well by holders including suppliers, customers, and
doing good. other community members. Such value-
added initiatives can be delivered to external
stakeholders through avenues including the
provision of educational, health, career,
THE ROOTS AND NATURE OF energy-saving, pollution-reducing, or envir-
CORPORATE SOCIAL onmental beautification opportunities.
RESPONSIBILITY
According to Chad Holliday (2001, p.
CSR has roots in a pivotal 1953 decision by 134), chairman and CEO of DuPont:
the New Jersey State Supreme Court which
removed legal restrictions on corporate phi- Sustainable growth should be viewed
lanthropy. A shareholder who objected to not as a program for stepped-up
Standard Oil donating money to Princeton environ- mental performance, but as a
University brought a lawsuit against Stan- compre- hensive way of doing business;
dard. The court ruled in Standard’s favor, one that delivers tremendous economic
accepting the argument that its donations to value and opens up a vast array of new
Princeton’s Engineering Department were opportu- nities. Capitalizing on these
intended to benefit Standard Oil by helping to benefits may require relentless
educate future potential employees. This determination and tenacity, but
decision paved the way for other companies ultimately companies will find that they
in the United States to engage in corporate can generate substantial business value
giving. CSR initiatives increasingly involve through sustainability, while both
strategically directed donations of equip- enhancing the quality of life throughout
ment or core employee skills. the world and protecting the
environment.
There are various definitions of CSR, but most
By virtue of being self-sustainable, stra- tegic
share the theme of engaging in econom-
CSR can become an integral and invalu- able
ically sustainable business activities that go
part of business strategy and operations,
beyond legal requirements to protect the
rather than merely off-the-shelf or sponta-
well-being of employees, communities, and
neous ‘‘good deeds.’’ Developing prudent
the environment. Strategic CSR seeks to do
CSR is thus much less a matter of organiza-
this in ways that simultaneously create tan-
tional imitation than real-time customiza-
gible business benefits, thereby being finan-
tion.
cially self-sustaining and less prone to
eliciting outcries about squandering share-
holder wealth. Granted that CSR includes
both environmental and human sustainabil- Complicating Factors
ity components, we follow CSR scholars who
use the terms corporate sustainability and Many organizations appear to be strong in
CSR synonymously. some areas of CSR performance yet weak in
others. Should Wal-Mart Stores be deemed
Environmental sustainability involves socially responsible for providing low-priced
using scientific insights to reduce the envir- goods for impoverished and budget conscious
onmental footprint of an organization’s customers, or irresponsible for paying its
operations and products. Doing so can help employees low wages, providing minimal
to address issues including the earth’s dimin- health care benefits, and for adversely affect-
ishing supply of nonrenewable resources ing independent merchants? Does BP exhibit
and capacity to absorb the waste from our CSR by recognizing and striving to address

126 ORGANIZATIONAL DYNAMICS

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2.1 Habitat for humanity
https://habitat.org.za/
Address: Aska House, Newlands on Main, Piazza
Level, Main Rd, Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
2.2 Building
46 Homes: The organization works with
communities to build new, affordable homes.
Empowering Communities: Habitat for Humanity
believes in giving people the tools to improve their
own lives. They train community members in skills
like construction, leadership, and financial
management

2.3Mission: "
Seeking to put God's love into action, Habitat for
Humanity brings people together to build homes,
communities and hope."
Vision: "A world where everyone has a decent
place to live."

2.4
The Scale of the Housing Crisis: South Africa has a massive
housing backlog, with millions of households in need of
decent homes. Habitat for Humanity, despite its significant
efforts, is a non-profit organization and cannot keep up with
the sheer demand for housing across the country.
Funding and Resources: As a non-profit, the organization
relies on donations, grants, and volunteer labor to fund its
projects. This can be inconsistent, and challenges like high
construction costs (for example, due to rising prices for
materials like lumber) and a lack of volunteers can impact
their ability to build.
2.5 Habitat for Humanity was founded by Millard and
Linda Fuller in 1976
The organization's founding was the culmination of an
idea called "partnership housing" that the Fullers
developed while living at Koinonia Farm, a Christian
community in Georgia. They later took this concept to
Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
before returning to the United States to formally
establish Habitat for Humanity.
2.6 The organisation is funded by donations ,Habitat for
Humanity gets its funding from a mix of sources. They
get money from donations by individuals and
corporations and also rely on a revolving fund where no-
interest loans from homeowners are paid back and then
used to build more homes. Additionally, they partner
with governments and depend on volunteer labor and
donated materials to keep costs low.

2.8Events like the #BuildForMadiba Season in partnership

with the Nelson Mandela Foundation during Mandela Month
are particularly well-known, drawing a large number of
participants and media attention.
Habitat for Humanity uses its platform to advocate for
policies that address housing needs. This includes running
campaigns and engaging with government departments to
highlight the importance of affordable housing. The
organization hosts various fundraising events and actively
seeks corporate and public partnerships. For instance, they
have partnered with companies like Property24 on
campaigns such as "Clicks for Bricks," where social media
engagement was converted into a donation for a house
build. They also collaborate with other NGOs and
foundations to scale their impact.
2.9Youth volunteer work provides valuable
benefits for young people. It helps them develop
personal skills like leadership and teamwork,
while also building empathy. By actively
participating, they make a real community
impact, strengthening social bonds and helping
to solve local problems. Volunteering also offers
career and academic benefits, giving them real-
world experience for resumes and a chance to
explore potential careers.
2.10 Youth volunteers can face two key
challenges: time constraints and
emotional stress. Balancing school, work,
and other commitments can make it
difficult for them to consistently
volunteer. Additionally, witnessing
difficult situations like poverty can be
emotionally draining and may lead to
burnout without proper support.

2.11 Habitat for Humanity South Africa has a very

positive impact on communities. The organization
directly improves lives by building and repairing
homes, which leads to better health and education
for families. It also empowers residents with skills
training, helping communities become more self-
sufficient and resilient for the long term.
3. Offer Flexible Shifts: Make volunteering easier to fit into
busy schedules by providing shorter shifts on weekends or
holidays.
Create Fun, Youth-Specific Projects: Organize special
events like "Youth Build Days" to make volunteering more
engaging and social for young people.
Use Social Media: Use platforms like TikTok and Instagram
to show the fun and impact of their work and reach a wider
youth audience.
Provide Skill-Building Opportunities: Frame volunteering as
a chance to learn valuable skills like construction and
leadership that can help with future careers.
 Conclusion
This project has taught me a great deal about the
importance of building a better community. I now
understand that by volunteering for organizations like
Habitat for Humanity, I can play a direct role in addressing
social challenges. The project also provided valuable
insight into how unequal access to basic resources can
lead to a poor quality of life for individuals and can
indicate a failure of government to adequately support its
citizens. Ultimately, I've learned that a lack of resources is
not just a personal problem; it is a symptom of a broader
societal issue that requires collective action and a united
community to solve.
This understanding has shown me that true progress
requires social cohesion, good governance, and an active
citizenry. When communities come together, they can
advocate for social justice, hold leaders accountable, and
build a more equitable society where everyone has a
chance to thrive.