South Africa’s search for dynamic growth

South Africa has built stable macroeconomic foundations since the overthrow of apartheid but its potential as a regional leader is still hampered by corporate rigidities, untapped talent reflected in high unemployment, an Aids epidemic and a failure to attract inward investment.

AS SOUTH AFRICA enters its second post-apartheid decade, the possibility that it will become a high-growth dynamic economy remains in doubt. Without an economic growth rate that soaks up labour surpluses, the republic cannot overcome massive unemployment and the sort of poverty rates that lower confidence among investors about the political future.

The ANC government is on a high – it won the bid to host the football World Cup in 2010, celebrates 10 years of democracy this year, and was re-elected with 70% of the vote in the April general election.

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