VIOLENCE AND CRIME IN SOUTH AFRICA MUST BE SEEN IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ENVIRONMENT FROM WHICH THEY SPRING: POOR LIVING CONDITIONS, POVERTY, LACK OR OPPORTUNITY, FRUSTRATION, LACK OF EDUCATION, AND UNACCEPTABLE SOCIAL STANDARDS. POOR LIVING CONDITIONS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT. MONOTONY, POOR ENVIRONMENT, AND OVERCROWDING, WHICH LEAD TO FRICTION AND FRUSTRATION, ARE THE ROOT CAUSES OF SOUTH AFRICAN CRIME. A CRIME SURVEY FOUND THAT IN CERTAIN AREAS, THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF PERSONS PER ROOM WAS 2.49. IN OTHER BLACK AND BANTU AREAS, IT RISES TO AS MUCH AS 3 TO 4. INADEQUATE RECREATION AREAS ALSO CAUSE THE YOUNG TO TURN TO CRIME, AS DO INADEQUATE OR NONEXISTENT LIGHTING AND INADEQUATE POLICING. TO COMBAT CRIME URGENT STEPS MUST BE INITIATED TO ELIMINATE THE UNDERLYING FACTORS AND IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS IN THESE AREAS; SUCH STEPS WOULD BE AN INVESTMENT FOR BUSINESS WHICH WOULD PAY OFF IN FUTURE DIVIDENDS. THE NEED FOR DIRECT INVOLVEMENT BY BUSINESS IS ESPECIALLY URGENT IN THE AREAS OF HOUSING, TOWN PLANNING, STREET LIGHTING, POLICE PROTECTION, TRANSPORTATION FACTILITIES, AND IMPROVED SPORT AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, SERVICES, AND AMENTITIES. THE ROOT CAUSE OF CRIME IN SOUTH AFRICA LIES IN UNHEALTHY LIVING CONDITIONS IN NONWHITE RESIDENTIAL AREAS, AND BUSINESS CAN MAKE A SOCIAL INVESTMENT IF IT PROVIDES THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND ORGANIZATION TO IMPROVE THESE COMMUNITIES. (MJW)