In particular, apartheid has resulted in unequal development between black and white, a consequence of the unequal provision of education, housing, health-care, etc. Furthermore, the apartheid policies of the NP government have been identified as a central factor behind inequity at the workplace. Thus, despite political equality, white South Africans continue to dominate socially and economically. One of Nedlac's main objectives is to promote equity in the community and workplace.
Poverty is one of the most serious problems facing the South African population.
It is estimated that some 70 percent of the rural population and 30 percent of the urban population can be regarded as poor. Moreover, approximately half of the poor of working age are outside the labour market altogether. The unemployment rate among those in poor households is 55 percent, nearly four times higher than the 14 percent among the non-poor. Similarly, the access to basic services such as electricity, flush toilets and piped water can be linked to poverty. At the end of 1994, 4,5-million houses, almost half the total had no electricity supply.