South African Government and Economic Factors

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering South African government structures, economic factors of production, national budgeting, and environmental impacts.

Government

A group of people who set policies and make laws to control how a country operates.

Democracy

A system of government where all the people of the country can vote for who they want to be in parliament.

Legislative branch

The branch of national government that makes the laws of the country and consists of the South African Parliament.

Executive branch

The branch of national government that leads and runs the country, consisting of the President, Deputy President, and cabinet ministers.

Judicial branch

The branch of national government that ensures justice is served if people break laws, consisting of the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, High Court, and Magistrates Courts.

Premier

The individual who heads each of the nine provincial governments in South Africa.

Municipality

A district, town, or city with a local government.

GNU

An acronym standing for Government of National Unity.

Revenue

The income that the government receives.

Taxes

Amounts of money that people pay to the government for public goods and services.

SARS

The South African Revenue Services, to which direct tax payments are made.

Direct taxes

Taxes that people pay directly to the government, such as Income tax and Business tax.

Indirect taxes

Taxes that people pay indirectly to the government via a business or service provider, such as VAT or Sin tax.

VAT (Value Added Tax)

An indirect tax of $15\%$ paid on the cost of goods or services.

Sin tax

An indirect tax placed on alcohol and tobacco products.

Budget Speech

The presentation to Parliament by the Minister of Finance that takes place in February each year to decide fund allocation.

Social grants

Amounts of money that the government pays to poor people or old people.

Factors of Production

The four components needed for production: Capital, Labour, Land, and Entrepreneurship.

Borrowed capital

Loan capital borrowed from family, friends, or the bank that must be paid back, often with interest.

Own capital

Your own money that you have saved up or inherited and invested in your business.

Labour

The people or workforce of a country, including the number of people at a working age and their skill levels.

Unskilled labour

Labour that does not require a high level of skill or much independent judgement, often involving physical labour like cleaners.

Skilled labour

Labour requiring a high level of skill, thorough training (such as a degree or diploma), and much independent judgement, such as a teacher or doctor.

Human capital

The knowledge and skills that workers get by working for a business, which increases with experience.

Land (Factor of Production)

Natural resources grouped together, including water, soil, air, plants, minerals, and animals.

Entrepreneurship

The factor of production that brings all other factors together and puts them into action.

Remuneration

Payment for work done or services provided.

Rent

The remuneration for the use of land.

Interest

The remuneration for the use of capital.

Profit

The remuneration for the use of entrepreneurship.

Labour relations

The ways in which employers and employees relate to each other in the workplace.

Labour Relations Act

An act that promotes social justice, peace, and democracy in the workplace.

Basic Conditions of Employment Act

An act that regulates working hours, leave, pay, and retrenchment conditions.

Occupational health and safety Act

Specifies how employers should ensure businesses do not damage the health of their employees.

Compensation for Occupational injuries and diseases Act

Specifies how employers should compensate families if an employee becomes sick, injured, or dies while doing their job.

Habitats

The place where a particular type of animal or plant is normally found.

Biodiversity

The existence of a large number of different kinds of animals and plants which make a balanced environment.

Sustainable

Able to continue over a period of time; long lasting.

Standard of Living

People's access to things such as goods and services that make life more comfortable.

Lifestyle

How you live in your environment, including spending habits, use of services, dress, and worship.

Modern society

An industrialised society that uses science and reason more than religion and tradition, featuring high technology use.

Rural society

A society in an area with few people where main economic activities are in the primary sector.

Self-sufficient

When you can meet most of your needs yourself through your environment, such as growing your own food.