The central objective of the IFP's reconstruction and social development policy is to improve the quality of life of all South Africans and in particular, those sections of the community which fall into the categories of the poor, unskilled, unemployed and undeserved. The policy integrates the reconstruction and development process with community development.

The approach adopted by the IFP is that of stimulating economic growth which will, in turn, result in the enhancement of living standards and a stable socio-economic and political environment.

Guiding principles

The reconstruction and social development policy is underpinned by the following important principles:

• Encouragement and nurturing of self-determination, self-reliance and self-help;
• Development of a broad base of technical, managerial and social skills within communities, thus empowering and stimulating the creative abilities of each community;
• Creation of employment opportunities for people within their own communities;
• Sustainability of community programmes and projects; and
• Respect for human and constitutional rights.

Focus areas

The reconstruction and social development policy will focus, amongst other things, on the following critical areas:

• Clear identification of basic needs opportunities and priorities for each community;
• Development of basic infrastructure and systems within each community, based on clearly identified needs;
• Development and growth of the economy, particularly in the poverty stricken and undeserved rural areas, thus ensuring an equitable distribution of resources and opportunities between urban and rural communities;
• Encouragement of community participation in all spheres of social, economic and political life, and in particular amongst the youth, women and the handicapped; and
• The development of monitoring and evaluation programmes in order to ensure success of reconstruction and social development programmes.

Priority areas

In addressing itself to the legacy of apartheid, the reconstruction and social development programmes of the IFP will focus on improvements to the quality of life of all South Africans. Depending on the priorities of each community, the specific areas of involvement will include inter alia:

• Job creation: The creation of employment opportunities which will focus on previously disadvantaged groups such as the youth, women and the handicapped.

• Addressing infrastructural disparities: The reconstruction and social development programmes will focus on developing basic infrastructure in underdeveloped communities and, in doing so, will explore employment opportunities for local communities.

• Education, training and development: The provision of effective, community driven and relevant educational, training and development programmes is a focal point of the IFP's reconstruction and social development programme.

• Agricultural and industrial development: In addressing poverty, food shortage and unemployment, the reconstruction and social development programme will support the development of agriculture and industry, mainly in the underdeveloped areas.

• Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) development: The development of SMMEs forms part of growing the economy and contributes towards improving the quality of life of all South Africans. In supporting SMMEs, the IFP will give preference to emerging enterprises which are owned and managed by previously disadvantaged population groups.

• Environment: Conservation and protection of the environment and the country's natural resources will be a primary area on which the reconstruction and social development programme will focus.

• HIV\AIDS: Through continued research, education and counselling programmes, reconstruction and social development programmes will address this serious epidemic which has a serious negative impact on social development and economic growth.

• Fostering and promoting good governance: Communities will be empowered with the skills with which to ensure effective self-governance, effective co-ordination and facilitation of reconstruction and social development programmes, and the sustainability of such community initiatives.

• Social Welfare Programmes: The needs of the aged, the frail and the handicapped will be of paramount importance to the IFP, as part of the government's social responsibility policy.

Conclusion

The IFP reconstruction and social development policy will bring about social equity through the development and empowerment of human resources, optimisation of community participation in social development, integration of the reconstruction and development programme with social development, and steady and sustainable economic growth.