South Africa

This chapter looks at the role of regional government across the country. While the ruling African National Congress has largely stood for a strong central government, the capacity of local and provincial government to provide services and infrastructure to millions of South Africans has remained central to the evolution of the country during the post-apartheid period. However, a number of the...

South Africa’s energy landscape is defined by increasing demand and limited capacity as the country’s energy needs have risen rapidly in recent years. Underinvestment in infrastructure remains a key challenge for the sector. The government has in recent years sought to develop a long-term energy strategy and has launched major efforts to diversify electricity-generating capacity, reduce...

While South Africa’s infrastructure has held a comparative advantage over its neighbours, upgrades have become necessary for most categories of public infrastructure to maintain that edge. The country’s airports are routinely praised as the best in Africa, and there is no shortage of capacity after a recent round of upgrades in advance of the 2010 World Cup. South Africa has 747,000 km of roads...

This section looks at South Africa’s industry sector, which has long supported the national economy. For the first 11 months of 2011 output rose 7.7% in comparison to the same period of 2010, according to Statistics South Africa. The fastest-growing manufacturing sectors included electrical machinery; radio, television and communication equipment; and automobiles and components, each of which...

The mining industry has long been a driving force behind South Africa’s economic growth. In 2010 it contributed 18% of GDP, and the country’s total reserves, while diminished, remain some of the world’s most valuable, with an estimated worth of $2.5trn. South Africa is perhaps best known for its gold, diamond and platinum riches but its wealth in other metals and minerals have also helped support...

The South African insurance industry is a regional giant, with nearly 80% of all direct premiums in Africa. The market is split into two regulated segments with separate legal frameworks and different representative bodies. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 had a deleterious effect on South African insurers. Both the long- and short-term segments faced internal challenges, such as lower...