Abstract

PIP: South Africa's development program has aimed to reduce total fertility to 2 children per woman by the year 2010. Since the program's inception, fertility declined from 4.6 to 4.1. White fertility over the last 4 years decreased from 2.1 to 1.7; Asian fertility declined from 2.8 to 2.3; Black fertility declined from 4.2 to 3.7. Black fertility was very low in the PWV area (2.6) and in metropolitan areas (3.2). High fertility was reflected in TBVC countries and self-governing areas (5.3). Teenage births among Whites have declined from 7.2% to 5.9%, and among Coloreds from 16% to 12.8%. Asian teenage childbearing declined from 10.9% to 8.2%, and Black teenage childbearing increased from 11.4% to 16.5%. The infant mortality rate declined for all races, and Blacks remained with the highest rate of 50/1000 live births. Literacy rates improved for Coloreds from 60% to 66% and for Blacks from 48% to 54%. Contraceptive usage was 65% among Whites, 59.2% among Coloreds, 60.2% among Asians, and 43.8% among Blacks. Awareness of population growth problems was 68% in rural and 82% in urban areas. The business sector will gain from becoming involved in development through a better trained work force, improved job satisfaction and less unrest, reduced absenteeism rates, improved trust between employer and employee, and more favorable socioeconomic conditions for business. Public health and reduction in sexually transmitted diseases would also improve. The business community has the opportunity to invest in a variety of development activities: to promote technical education through scholarships, public campaigns to promote the image of technical careers, and exchange of information with educators about business needs. Business might also provide employee training, women's training, employee involvement in decision making, and employee benefits such as preventive health services. Family planning could be integrated into training courses for employees and emphasize the small family norm. Family planning services could be provided within the factory or business. Business could work to improve employees housing and living conditions. Child care facilities could be provided for employees.