An Analysis of Economic Policies in Post-Apartheid South Africa

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2025 in the subject Business economics - Economic Policy, grade: 1,7, http://www.uni-jena.de/ (Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät), course: Lehrstuhl für Wirtschaftspolitik, language: English, abstract: This thesis examines the evolution and effectiveness of South Africa’s economic policies in the post-apartheid era, from 1994 to 2023. Following the end of apartheid and the democratic transition led by the African National Congress (ANC), the South African government implemented a series of ambitious economic strategies aimed at redressing historical injustices and promoting inclusive growth. The study critically analyzes major policy frameworks, including the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR), Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA), the New Growth Path (NGP), and the National Development Plan 2030 (NDP). Drawing on economic theory, policy documents, and empirical data, the research identifies persistent structural challenges such as high unemployment, inequality, weak institutional capacity, and fiscal constraints. Despite periods of macroeconomic stability and moderate growth, many policies failed to achieve their intended goals due to poor implementation, policy inconsistency, and limited state capacity. The analysis highlights a recurring gap between policy ambition and practical delivery. The thesis concludes that South Africa requires a hybrid economic model that balances state intervention with private sector dynamism, supported by strong institutions, better governance, and long-term investment in education, infrastructure, and job creation. Without addressing these foundational issues, the vision of inclusive economic transformation remains unfulfilled.