critical
perspectives
on
Southern
Africa
             ,.....*.-•?.>,


EDITORS:
Bill Freund, Gerhard Mar6, Mike Morris (University of Natal),
John Daniel, Vishnu Padayachee (University of Durban-Westville)
CORRESPONDING EDITORS:
Colin Bundy (University of the Western-Cape), Stephen Gelb, Shireen Hassim (Univer-
sity of Durban-Westville), Peter Hudson, Debbie Posel (University of the Wit-
watersrand), David Kaplan, Dave Lewis, Mary Simons (University of Cape Town),
Francie Lund, Nic Amin (University of Natal), Mala Singh (CSD).
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATE EDITORS:
Henry Bernstein (SOAS, University of London), Gillian Hart (University of Califor-
nia, Berkeley), Mahmood Mamdani (Centre of Basic Research, Kampala), Martin
Murray (SUNY Binghamton), Dan O'Meara (University de Quebec a Montreal),
Terence Ranger (University of Oxford), John Saul (York University), Elling N
Tj0nneland (Christian Michelsen Institute, Norway), Gavin Williams (University of
Oxford).
LAYOUT B Y : Rob Evans
PUBLICATION GUIDELINES:
We ask contributors to submit two (2) typed copies, following the format (on such
issues as references and notes) of articles in this issue of TRANSFORMATION.
Whilst the journal will cater for work at any level of abstraction, or detail, a number of
criteria will guide the editors in selection of material for inclusion. Articles should aim
 for academic rigour but also clarify the political implications of the issues discussed. We
 are concerned not to compete with other South African journals that may cover related
 ground but in different ways - mis will govern our selection principles. All articles will
 be assessed anonymously by the referees. Contributions should preferably not exceed
 the following lengths:
 Analytical articles: 7 000 words
 Debates and review articles: 3 000 words
 The views expressed in TRANSFORMATION do not necessarily reflect those of
 the editors.
      EDITORIAL AND CONTRIBUTIONS ADDRESS:
      TRANSFORMATION,
      c/o Economic History Department
      University of Natal
      Private Bag X10, Dalbridge
      4014 Durban South Africa
      Email: transfor@mtb.und.ac.za
     SUBSCRIPTIONS RATES AND ADDRESS AT THE BACK OF THIS ISSUE.
                                      ISSN: 0258 - 7696


 TRANS                                                  27           199
  FORM
 ATION
CONTENTS
Commentary
PRIVATISATION AND THE RDP: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT.                      1
     BEN FINE examines the issue of privatisation in the context
     of the ANC's radical shift away from its longstanding
     commitment to public ownership, and assesses the potential of
     a privatisation programme as a means of raising revenue for
     the RDP.
SOME REFLECTIONS ON THE CHANGING ROLE OF
PROGRESSIVE POLICY GROUPS IN SOUTH AFRICA:
EXPERIENCES FROM THE CENTRE FOR HEALTH POLICY.                        24
     MAX PRICE, using a health NGO as a case study, discusses
     the changing roles of and new demands upon NGOs, many of
     which now find themselves sharing the policy views of the
     government.
ONE CHINA OR TWO? SOUTH AFRICA'S
FOREIGN POLICY DILEMMA                                                35
    JOHN DANIEL examines the dilemma confronting the
    government over China and adopts a cautionary perspective
    with regard to the recognition of the Peoples Republic of China.
    He makes a case for dual recognition of the 'two Chinas'.


Articles
THE TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY IN SOUTH AFRICA:
DEVELOPING A DYNAMIC MODEL                                           50
     ADAM HABIB critically examines the strengths and
     weaknesses of the international and domestic 'transitory to
     democracy' literature. He advocates an alternative theoretical
     model to understand and explain the South African tramition
     and the prospects for its consolidation.
EXPLOITING PHUMELELE NENE: POST MODERNISM,
INTELLECTUAL WORK AND ORDINARY LIVES                                 74
     ARI SITAS uses the case of Phumelele Nene, formerly a
     peasant but now an urban resident to expose some of the
     weaknesses of the post-modern critique.
Debates
THE UNEVEN TRANSITION FROM APARTHEID
IN SOUTH AFRICA                                                      88
     HAROLD WOLPE examines some of the underlying
     assumptions of the RDP and picks up on some of the issues
     developed by Adelzadeh and Padayachee.
Reviews
SOUTHERN AFRICA: IS STRUCTURAL REFORM VIABLE?                       102
     JOHN SAUL'S Recolonisation and Resistance in Southern
     Africa in the 1990s is reviewed by BILL FREUND
AMABOKOBOKO STAAN STYF, HOEVEEL (Australiese)
DOLLARS IN JUL SAFE?                                                105
     ALBERT GRUNDLJNGH ETAL'S study Beyond the Try line:
     Rugby and South African society is reviewed by GERHARD
     MARE.