This paper begins by defining social security and examining its major forms. The paper then goes on to examine social security provisions in some countries in eastern and southern Africa, demonstrating that there is no country in this region (excluding South Africa) which has a comprehensive social security system. There are, however, a number of disjointed schemes which offer rudimentary social protection. The paper observes the lack of social protection for the rura1 population, a situation which only serves to exacerbate the existing inequalities between the urban and rural population. It is suggested that governments in eastern and southern Africa should seriously consider innovative ways of extending social protection to the rural population. Governments should concern themselves more with the need to meet the basic needs of the poor than the need to protect the poor against contingencies that impair their earning capacity.
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