Tag: Ramaphosa’s New Deal

Buying local, ECONOMIC POLICY AND STRATEGY, Market economy

England’s Norman Kings had a better grasp than the ANC of the importance of export for economic growth

Had the Norman kings of England in the 11th and 12th centuries a better grasp of economics than that displayed this week by Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry?

In briefing Members of Parliament about Government strategy to support local industry now that Government is facing a fiscal cliff, Davies said it was unlikely to receive extra cash to support industrialisation (As the Budget bites the focus shifts to buying local… ) Government would therefore be “more vigorous” in getting value for money out by procurement of local inputs, rather than imported ones.

The strategy Davies proposed was (you guessed it!) more state control and prescriptions: Rather than pursuing growth through the tradeable sector, stimulation is sought through consumer spending with Government as the main consumer…

Continue reading “England’s Norman Kings had a better grasp than the ANC of the importance of export for economic growth” →

Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA), Black economic empowerment (BEE), Black-owned businesses, Developmental state, ECONOMIC GROWTH/ANTI-GROWTH FACTORS, ECONOMIC POLICY AND STRATEGY, Enterprise regularities, Population size, Pro-growth strategies, Urban economy and growth, White monopoly capital theory

A Cyril Swallow does not make a Summer of Growth: How business friendly is Ramaphosa’s New Deal?

“We need to massify the creation, funding and development of black-owned small businesses, township businesses and co-operatives.” Cyril Ramaphosa’s New Deal for South Africa (14 Nov 2017).

This quote from Ramaphosa’s 10 point plan manifesto to get the economy growing forms part of the action steps under Point 5: “we must accelerate the transfer of ownership and control of the economy to black South Africans.“

At first take the creation of an immense number of enterprises sounds like a pro-business approach. But is this objective realistic? Will it render the desired outcome? Even more basic: is it sound economics?

The New Deal is silent on how this enterprise factory that will mass-produce black-owned businesses would work. Whilst the manifesto was announced in the context of the ANC leadership contest, the “we” that Ramaphosa refers to is clearly Government and its administrative institutions. Continue reading “A Cyril Swallow does not make a Summer of Growth: How business friendly is Ramaphosa’s New Deal?” →