Service delivery protests as an impediment to South Africa's hegemonic leadership ambition in africa : 2004-2014

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to determine the impact of protests in the South African Image between 2004 and 2013, to systematically apply theoretical and methodological approaches in order to determine the trends and patterns and the impact of protests in South Africa and to add new information to the existing literature gap in the discipline of Peace Studies and International relations by coming up with new findings, conclusions and recommendations. The study found and concluded that between 2004 and 2013 violence in South Africa was generated by all parties involved to the conflict which is both the state and the civilians or workers. In addition, the factors of globalisation that are beyond the powers of the state to control and the problems of poverty, unemployment and inequality as raised in the grievances in South Africa were central to these factors. The study also found and concluded that in terms of the South African constitution, strike is a protected right. In addition, all the parties involved to the conflict which is the South African police force, the civilians and workers uses violence as a last resort to conflict resolution as protected in the constitution and violence in the form of protest actions in the country will in fact abort South Africa's political and economic hegemonic leadership goal in Africa, and dent the countries positive image. Lastly, the study recommends that all parties to the conflict in South Africa to act responsibly and avoid violence at all cost taking into consideration the country's image in a constitutional democratic dispensation, and the country's prospects of becoming an African hegemonic leader. Public awareness, workshops and other forms of campaigns are recommended for all parties with a view to change the stereotype of a negative conflict resolution to a more peaceful oriented one.