Essay Sample on Intelligence Trends in South Africa

Introduction

South Africa is the largest country in the southern region of Africa and has a population of approximately fifty-seven million people most of whom are from different religions, cultures, origin, and language. According to the 2011 census report, children below the age of fifteen years formed 30% of the total population, while those between the age of fifteen years to sixty-five formed the 65% of the total population and finally those above the age of sixty-five formed 5% of the total population (Rogerson, 2017). The country is considered to be ethnically diverse, and it is mainly divided into five distinct eras which include, the pre-colonial period, colonial period, posts colonial period, the apartheid period and the post-apartheid period. The discovery of minerals in the country has played a huge part in ensuring or promoting improved infrastructure and industrialization in the country. South Africa is also diversified in other areas such as agriculture, products manufacturing and vehicle assembly which also play a significant role in the country economic growth. This paper intends to identify the current trends that have been taking place in southern Africa, and the solutions that the government should put in place to curb the negative trends.

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Current Trends in South Africa

In the recent past, South Africa has been experiencing various negative trends that have been affecting the entire countries population and also hindering the nation's economic growth and development. Some of these current trends being experienced in the country include; first, the terrorist threat. Terrorisms is a consistent and ever-evolving global problem that no county around the world is immune to. Most countries around the globe have experienced incidences of terrorist attracts while other countries such as South Africa are still faced by the threat of being attacked. Terrorist use social media, the dark web and encrypted messages to recruit, spread propaganda and plan various attacks. Currently, South Africa is faced by the threat of a terrorist attack within its boundaries. According to research, terrorists are likely to initiate attacks in South Africa which could indiscriminate and mainly target the areas that are regularly toured by the foreigners, for example, the shopping malls. In the recent past, the countries law enforcement have been able to disrupt several planned attacks within the country and also managed to make numerous arrest; For instance, the planned attack on the western diplomatic mission (Writer, 2019). This threat has been considered to be on the increase due to the large number of South African citizens who have traveled to the terrorist prawn areas such as Syria, and Iraq and are likely to be recruited therefore being considered as a high threat on their return.

Secondly, increased crime rate. South Africa has been noted to have the Highers crime rate as compared to other countries in Africa. According to research, The crime rate has been on the increase in South Africa in the past decade. For example according to reports in the year 2017 the country recorded a 7% increase in crime as compared to the previous year's (Writer, 2019). The common crimes being experienced in the country include murder, assault, rape, and robbery. Crime also tends to be a global problem that is particularly experienced in many underdeveloped nations. Poverty and unemployment are the main factors contributing to increased crime around the world. In most developed countries, crime rates tend to be low since the governments usually provide all the necessary resources for their citizens. The South African crime trend has been on the increase due to various key factors that include; first, most South African citizens usually resolve their conflicts through violence. Secondly, the young population is mainly subjected to various risk factors such as poverty, and uncaring parenting that makes them indulge in crime. Thirdly, The country's justice system is not effective enough, since it is highly faced by issues of corruption thus making it hard to fight crime in the country. Fourth there is increased rate of marginalization and unemployment in the country; therefore, a particular portion of the population is not able to access the basic needs.

Thirdly, climatic change. .according to research, South Africa has always been experiencing climatic conditions that range from semi-arid temperatures that are experienced in the interior plateaus and extend to the southwest Mediterranean weather. The country has always been recording a moderate temperature with many dry and sunny days. However, in the recent past, South Africa has started to recorded significant climate change, for example in the year 2018 the country faced a significant drought that resulted to high water shortage across the country (SA-Venues, 2019). The climate changes being experienced in the country has also made the country's weather partners to change. For example, the country is experiencing little or no rain during the rainy seasons while the country also records very high temperature during the hot seasons. Currently, the issue of climate change has become an issue of global concerns since the entire worlds climate is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Some of the issues that are causing or triggering climatic change include; increased greenhouse gases on the atmospheres and increased carbon in the atmosphere

Fourth, increased loss of land rights and conflicts. Land is an essential commodity among marginalized societies since it provides or offers a diversified livelihood and opportunities. In the recent past, the land resources have been continued to be a source of conflict and contest meant in South Africa. The land problem issue has led to reduced economic and social development in the country due to the increased conflicts (Benjaminsen et al., 2009). Most South African citizen have a history or record of being stripped or denied their land rights. Striping the landowners their land rights trigger conflicts and disagreements in the society. The main factor that resulted or contributed to the issue of land rights and reclaiming by the black South African from the whites was due to the citizen's distrust on the government mainly during negotiations of the constitution.

The Measures That the South African Government Should Initiate

South Africa is experiencing several negative trends that include, climate change, terrorism threat, and increased crime rate. Therefore The South African government needs to put a lot of effort to minimize or curb these negative trends that are on the increase. Some of the measures that should implement include; first, the government should deploy more law enforcement officers in the country to curb the increasing incidences of crime and terrorist attacks. Increasing the number of police officers will help to ensure that everything that is happening in the society is well monitored. Secondly, the government should create employment opportunities for its citizens to reduce cases of poverty and poor living conditions, which are the leading causes of increased crime rates. Thirdly, the government should enlighten its citizens on the importance of protecting the environment by minimizing the amount of carbon and greenhouse emission; this will help resolve the issue of climate change. Fourth, the strict rules and policies should be implemented to regulate the amount of carbon and greenhouse emissions produced in the country. Fifth, strict policies should be formulated and implemented to resolve the existing land conflicts and ensure that South African citizens are not denied their land rights.

References

Benjaminsen, T. A., Holden, S., Lund, C., & Sjaastad, E. (2009). Formalization of land rights: Some empirical evidence from Mali, Niger, and South Africa. Land use policy, 26(1), 28-35. Retrieved from, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2008.07.003

Rogerson, C. M. (2017). Geography and economy in South Africa and its neighbors. Routledge. Retrieved from, https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Rogerson%2C+C.+M.+%282017%29.+Geography+and+economy+in+South+Africa+and+its+neighbours.+Routledge.&btnG=

SA-Venues. (2019). South African weather. Retrieved from https://www.sa-venues.com/no/weather.htmWriter, S. (2019). South Africa crime stats 2018: everything you need to know. Retrieved from https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/270689/south-africa-crime-stats-2018-everything-you-need-to-know/