Economic Growth in South Africa since 1994 has on average rarely exceeded 2.5%. Moreover, this sustained period of mediocre growth has in recent years been severely undermined by the steady demise of governance through a process commonly known as ‘state capture’. In addition, the economy now faces the more immediate shock of the Covid-19 pandemic, just as the process of rolling back institutionalised corruption and formalising innovative economic growth plans has begun.
What then, can be done in South Africa over the next 500 days? If we were as a society to craft an integrated, short-term and practical set of growth, employment and development priorities, what would this look like? Developing such a 500-day plan arguably goes to the heart of our long-run future as a country.
The aim of this colloquium is to outline a range of short-term, actionable policy interventions that, together, could place South Africa on a new growth trajectory to fuel economic recovery and create more jobs over the next 18 months.
Participants’ input will feed into key advisory fora – including the President’s Economic Advisory Council – and provide valuable insights to help inform the National Treasury’s Mid-Term Expenditure Framework, as well as the wider policy agendas of both government and the social partners.
Colloquium report and outputs to follow.
Day 1 focused on South Africa's fiscal environment and what could be achieved in the next 500 days. This theme explored the national debt crisis and SOE deficits and looked at policy revisions for improved tax revenue collection and mapped paths to fiscal consolidation.
Here are live-captured graphics from Day 1.
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On Day 2, the CBPEP Colloquium focused on opportunities for growth and employment in telecommunications, digital, energy, water and sanitation sectors, and engaged with private sector views on national priorities including banking, manufacturing, mining and the retail sectors.
Here are live-captured graphics from Day 2.
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On Day 3, the CBPEP Colloquium focused on opportunities for streamlining local government processes and addressing obstacles that inhibit progress. The participants also engaged with ideas generated on how to build state capacity and address municipal debt.
Here are live-captured graphics from Day 3.
Click to enlarge
Colloquium report and updates to follow.
