Curriculum South Africa's Economy

South Africa's Economy

How minerals, apartheid and its end shaped South Africa's economy: the gold rush, the economics of apartheid, the 1994 transition, very high unemployment, Black Economic Empowerment, Eskom and load-shedding, social grants, mining today, state capture, townships and the informal economy, ties with India and lessons.

Minerals and the Making of South Africa How diamond and gold discoveries in the late 1800s transformed South Africa into a mining economy, drew migrant labour and shaped its cities and institutions. 📄 Read-aloud
The Economics of Apartheid How apartheid from 1948 restricted where Black South Africans could live, work and study, how it held back the economy, and how sanctions added pressure. 📄 Read-aloud
The 1994 Transition and Economic Policy How South Africa's first democratic government under Nelson Mandela balanced redistribution with fiscal discipline, and debates over whether the transition changed the economy enough. 📄 Read-aloud
The World's Highest Unemployment Why South Africa's unemployment rate is above 30 percent, far higher than comparable countries, and the explanations economists offer. 📄 Read-aloud
Black Economic Empowerment How Black Economic Empowerment policies aim to increase Black ownership and management in business, and debates about whether they helped many or a few. 📄 Read-aloud
Eskom and Load-Shedding How South Africa's state electricity company Eskom fell into crisis, causing rolling blackouts, and how this damaged growth before improving in 2024. 📄 Read-aloud
South Africa's Economy: Checkpoint 1 Quick checkpoint - five questions on minerals, apartheid, the 1994 transition, unemployment and BEE. 5 questions
Social Grants How South Africa pays social grants to around a third or more of its population, including child support and old-age grants, and debates about a basic income. 📄 Read-aloud
Platinum, Gold and Mining Today How South Africa's mining has shifted from gold to platinum group metals, coal and others, and the challenges of labour conflict and regulation. 📄 Read-aloud
State Capture How the Gupta family and allies allegedly captured state enterprises and ministries under President Jacob Zuma, what the Zondo Commission found, and the economic damage. 📄 Read-aloud
Townships and the Informal Economy How townships built under apartheid remain centres of poverty and enterprise, how spaza shops and minibus taxis work, and why the informal sector is smaller than elsewhere. 📄 Read-aloud
South Africa and India How Gandhi's years in South Africa, a large Indian-origin community, BRICS and trade link the two countries economically and historically. 📄 Read-aloud
Lessons from South Africa What South Africa teaches about resources, discrimination, state enterprises and unemployment, and a recap of the module. 📄 Read-aloud