It is becoming increasingly clear that South Africa’s policymakers can no longer ignore the country’s obligations in terms of international, regional and national human rights law.
The democratic transition in 1994 was the result of an ‘elite pact’ that changed the country’s politics, but did little to undermine the foundations of white economic power.
The new governing elite mistakenly believes that the goal of a democratic South Africa is simply to extend to everyone what whites enjoyed under apartheid.
Rob Davies is critical of economic policy, starting with the Mandela administration. He reserves particular criticism for its macroeconomic policy framework introduced in 1996.
Relying solely on job placement as an indicator of successful intervention misses out on outcomes that are equally important, or more so, amid high structural unemployment.
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened unemployment and poverty, showing the need for the government to permanently expand income support to working-age adults.
While South Africa should pay careful attention to all its existing trade and economic relations, particular attention should go to its intra-African economic relations.
The role of government should be to improve and reorganise this sector to address the needs of users. The proposed national operational subsidy is an opportunity to do precisely that.
It is vital that the latest move by government towards restructuring succeeds in making the industry safe, reliable and viable, contributing to the country’s economy.
An EU-UK trade deal will reinforce the certainty and continuity that South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini – plus Mozambique are seeking in their relationship with the UK.