The State of the Economy as a Basis for Human Development: Evaluated Against the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the
current state of the South African economy
against the Accelerated and Shared Growth
Initiative for South Africa's (AsgiSA's)
challenge and objectives. This study
investigates whether the broad strategic
objectives outlined in the Initiative can form the
basis for human development within the context
of the ‘dual economy'. The article argues that
while AsgiSA could conceivably provide such
a foundation, it would need to be propagated
and accepted fi rst by all as offi cial policy.
The author further states that a relatively
good social safety net has been developed
since 1994, but cautions that the unemployed,
underemployed and poor do not always share
in the growth and development of the economy..

African Insight Vol. 36 (3&4) 2006: pp. 199-213