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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | South Africa's Future: Powerhouse or Poorhouse |
Author: | Leistner, Erich |
Year: | 1993 |
Periodical: | Africa Insight |
Volume: | 23 |
Issue: | 2 |
Pages: | 85-90 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | South Africa |
Subjects: | future economic development Development and Technology Economics and Trade Politics and Government |
Abstract: | South Africa's old political order is fading away rapidly, and the country is well on its way to becoming a more 'African' country. To many, this is cause for rejoicing. Others are gloomily convinced that the country is destined to follow the rest of sub-Saharan Africa into ever-deepening misery. The aim of this article is to refute this pessimistic viewpoint. It first discusses the reasons for sub-Saharan Africa's retrogression since independence. Then it identifies crucial differences between sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa, such as the fact that South Africa has functioning - though weakened - economic and technical structures as well as a vigorous civil society. Finally, it deals with change in South Africa in general and with black South African economic development in particular. The conclusion is that South Africa differs significantly from the rest of the continent and that the country has vastly better chances to build a prosperous future than the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. Notes, ref. |