Trends in Universal Primary Education, Child and Maternal Mortality in the Context of the Millennium Development Goals in South Africa with Particular Reference to Gauteng and North-West Provinces

Eric O. Udjo, University of South Africa
Joshua Kembo, University of South Africa
Ishmael I. Kalule-Sabiti, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus

This paper examines the progress made on the education and demographic goals (achieve universal primary education, reduce child mortality and improve maternal health) of the MDGs in two somewhat contrasting provinces (North West and Gauteng) of South Africa. Several sources of data were utilized in computing the MDG indicators which included the 1996 and 2001 censuses as well as the 2007 Community survey. The results indicate that although the trends in literacy rates appear to indicate that by 2015, all persons aged 15-24 in the North West and Gauteng would be literate, neither province would achieve complete primary school enrolment by 2015; that there were substantial increases in under-five mortality in 2008 compared to 1996; and that maternal mortality increased substantially in recent years. Neither South Africa nor the North West or Gauteng would achieve the MDGs of reducing by the maternal ratio three quarters, between 1990 and 2015.