ACADEMIC PAPERS & BOOK CHAPTERS
Higher Education in Post-apartheid South Africa: Challenges and Prospects
Vusi Gumede
Introduction
The transformation of the higher education sector in South Africa is among critical issues that have been topical in the post-apartheid dispensation.
Social and economic effects of illicit financial flows in South Africa
Moorosi Leshoele and Vusi Gumede
Introduction
Mining plays an important role in the South African economy and society at large, as is the case for many countries with a significant mining sector.
Revisiting poverty, human development and inequality in democratic South Africa*
Vusi Gumede, University of Mpumalanga
Abstract
There are many questions that remain unsatisfactorily answered as far as poverty is concerned in South Africa.
The African Continental Free Trade Agreement and the future of Regional Economic Communities
Vusi Gumede, University of Mpumalanga
Abstract
The ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) came on the backdrop of other Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) being in place among Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
Thandika Mkandawire: Development, African Nationalism and Pan-Africanism
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
There are many themes that can be discussed when examining Thandika Mkandawire’s archive. And there is more that he has done that can also warrant detailed treatment. For instance, Mkandawire has mentored many scholars.
Free Trade in Africa: Macroeconomic Convergence, Possibilities and Prospects
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
For a free trade area to deliver good results, macroeconomic convergence and policy coordination are critical. Inflation, fiscal balance, trade balance, per capita incomes, national debt and real exchange rate are crucial macroeconomic factors which should be taken into account in a pursuit of a free trade area.
Towards United African States: the African Continental Free Trade Area and the African Economic Community in the Context of a Political Federation for Africa
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
The paper deals with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Economic Community (AEC) envisaged in the 1991 Abuja Treaty. The AfCFTA and the AEC are potential steps towards the political federation of African countries into a single African nation.
Reducing Inequalities in South Africa: Searching for Solutions
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
There is consensus that inequalities are very high in South Africa, and mostly between population groups. Although class inequalities exist, racial inequalities remain prominent which should not be surprising.
Social Policy in Post-apartheid South Africa
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
There is no doubt, or rather there is consensus, that social policy is very important for any society. It is also often argued that social policy should work in tandem with economic policy. As a working definition, for this paper, social policy has to do with policy interventions in the public sector aimed at directly improving wellbeing in a society.
Samir Amin, Thandika Mkandawire and Guy Mhone on Africa’s socio-economic development
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
Development, however viewed, has been elusive in Africa. Economic development in particular has been weak, which might be one of the reasons why wellbeing has not sufficiently advanced in Africa. It is therefore important to examine development again, both economic and social development.
Rethinking and reclaiming development in Africa
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
There are many important questions that have been posed but not satisfactorily answered regarding the notion of development. For instance, I have asked: if development is such a desirable end for both African leaders and their so-called partners, why has it been so elusive and tedious to achieve.
Revisiting Regional Integration in Africa: Towards a Pan-African Developmental Regional Integration
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
Leading up to the political independence of many African countries and immediately thereafter, there were those who argued for the federal union of African states (e.g. Awolowo and Nkrumah) while others (e.g. Nyerere and Balewa) preferred a gradual approach to the integration of post-colonial African states (Gumede and Oloruntoba, 2017) .
Towards effective developmental states in Southern Africa
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
The debate about developmental states remains topical in Africa largely because many argue, understandably, that Africa needs effective developmental states in order to advance economic and social development.
Public sector reforms and policy-making: A case of education in an emerging developmental South Africa
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
Reforming the public sector in South Africa began in earnest immediately after the first democratic elections in 1994. The appointment of the Presidential Review Commission to investigate the required reforms was one of the significant steps taken.
Regional Integration and African Renaissance: Moving beyond the rhetoric
Vusi Gumede and Samuel Oloruntoba
The balkanisation of Africa by the imperial forces of Germany, France, Britain and Belgium at the Berlin conference of 1884-1885 created ‘bondage of boundaries’, which continue to shape and define socio-economic and political trajectories of the African continent.
Foreign Direct Investment and Intra-Africa Trade: The Role of African Governments in the Context of African Renaissance
Vusi Gumede and Kagiso (TK) Pooe
As the 21st century gradually draws to a close, we contend that the twenty-first century, socio-economically, will most likely be remembered as one that firmly established the ascent of the Asian subcontinent and economies like the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, as well as the subsequent rise of South American and Latin nations.
Social and Economic Effects of Illicit Financial Flows in South Africa
Moorosi Leshoele and Vusi Gumede
Mining plays an important role in the South African economy and society at large, as is the case for many countries with a significant mining sector.
Framing the Debate on the Great Recession
Joel Netshitenzhe, Vusi Gumede and Samuel Oloruntoba
The essay sets the scene by discussing the nature and evolution of global capitalism, especially in the last three decades. The link between the changes that have taken place and increasing inequality within and between countries are also discussed.
Revisiting Land, Agriculture and Food Sovereignty in South Africa
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
The debate regarding South Africa’s land and agrarian structure continues unabated, and oft-times it is very emotive. Part of the issue is whether South Africa would follow Zimbabwe’s ‘footsteps’.
Memory and Socio-economic Transformation in South Africa
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
South Africa seems to be on crossroads, since the mid-2000s. Socio-economic progress has been weaker than expected in the democratic dispensation although many initiatives have been pursued since 1994 aimed at socio-economic transformation.
Elusive Pursuit of Reconciliation and Development in Post-apartheid South Africa
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
The political landscape is changing rather rapidly after two decades of democracy in South Africa, eliciting various reactions including the debate whether reconciliation is taking place or not. Linked to reconciliation is development; inclusive development to be precise.
Poverty and Poverty Lines in South Africa
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
In 2007, the South African government explicitly attempted a new approach to reducing poverty. The approach, or the methodology, that was experimented with from 2007 was known as War on Poverty within the context of a new antipoverty programme.
Education reforms and curriculum transformation in post-apartheid South Africa
Vusi Gumede & Mduduzi Biyase*
Education reform and curriculum transformation have been a priority in South Africa since the establishment of the Government of National Unity in 1994. Education is critical in redressing the injustices of apartheid colonialism which created an inequitable and fragmented education system.
Presidencies and Policy in Post-Apartheid South Africa
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
From a policy perspective, the question naturally arises as to whether there have been major changes in policy making and associated issues in South Africa since 1994.
Illicit Financial Flows in Southern Africa: Exploring Implications for Socio-Economic Development
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
This article views Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) as any illegal and corrupt practice done to acquire money without due process that is in line with international financial and trade regulatory frameworks.
Leadership for Africa’s development: Revisiting African traditional leadership
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
Abstract: The African continent remains at the periphery in world affairs. Many scholars have advanced cogent reasons for this unfortunate reality.
Millennium Development Goals:Towards a post-2015 development agenda for South Africa
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
Introduction: 2014 did not only commemorate 20 years of democracy, it also marked the year that the South African government had set for itself to meet, and surpass, most of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Inclusive development in post-apartheid South Africa
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
Abstract: The debate about ‘development’ continues unabated in South Africa, especially twenty one years since political independence. This essay, as a contribution to the important ongoing debate,
Exploring the Role of Thought Leadership, Thought Liberation and Critical Consciousness for Africa’s Development
Vusi Gumede, University of South Africa
Abstract: It is argued that any discussion of Africa’s social and economic development has to take into account the three critical issues that remain pressing constraints for the further advancement of wellbeing in Africa:
Poverty and Inequality in Africa: Towards the post-2015 development agenda for Sub-Saharan Africa
Vusi Gumede, PhD Professor & Head, Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, UNISA
Introduction: Notwithstanding relatively impressive rates of economic growth in Africa in the past ten years or so, poverty and inequality, however measured, have remained stubbornly high.
Democratic Developmental South Africa: A dream deferred?
Vusi Gumede, PhD Professor & Head, Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, UNISA
Abstract: The paper reviews the extent to which South Africa is meeting set goals, within the context of the ‘dream’ of becoming a developmental state.
Radical Land and Agrarian Reform on the horizon in South Africa: Following Zimbabwe’s Footsteps?
Vusi Gumede, Professor and Head: Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, Unisa
In the context of skewed land ownership patterns, extreme inequality and poverty, land reform must represent a radical and or significant break from the past, without, however, disrupting agricultural production and food security
Regional hegemons as catalyst for continental integratioN...
Samuel Oloruntoba & Vusi Gumede
Abstract: Since the formation of the Organization of African Unity in 1963 to the nascent African Union, regional integration has been very high on the agenda of political leaders on the continent.
Foreign Direct Investment and Intra-Africa Trade: The role of African governments in the context of African Renaissance
Prof Vusi Gumede and Kagiso (TK) Pooe
Respectively, Professor & Head of the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute and a Doctoral candidate
Introduction
As the twenty-first century gradually draws to a close, we contend that the twenty-first century, socio-economically, will most likely be remembered as one that firmly established the ascent of the Asian subcontinent and economies...
African Economic Renaissance as a Paradigm for Africa’s Socio-Economic Development in the 22nd Century
Vusi Gumede, Professor & Head: Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, Unisa
Introduction This paper, in the main, presents a socio-economic development model along the lines of the African renaissance. The paper presupposes that the 21st century is almost midway – there are about eighty years left to the 22nd century.
Social and Economic Transformation in Post-Apartheid South Africa – policies, progress and proposals
Vusi Gumede, Professor & Head of the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, Unisa
Thanks to Zukiswa Mqolomba for some research assistance on this paper Introduction Judging from various policy pronouncements and documents of the African National Congress (ANC), it can be argued that the organisation has always been clear about the nature of what was envisaged to be post-apartheid South Africa (SA).
Social and economic inclusion in post-apartheid South Africa
Vusi Gumede, PhD - Associate Professor: Development Studies, University of Johannesburg
(This paper features in 2011 Transformation Audit of the Institute of Justice & Reconciliation, in South Africa/Cape Town.) Introduction South Africa’s democracy is founded on one of the noblest constitutions in the world. Forged against the backdrop of struggle and dispossession, it not only enshrines political freedom,
Youth development and women empowerment in an evolving post-apartheid South African developmental state
Vusi Gumede, PhD - Associate Professor: Development Studies, University of Johannesburg
Abstract This paper interrogates South Africa’s evolving developmental state as far as youth and women are concerned. The developmental state is defined, amongst others, within the context of Johnson’s (1982) ‘plan-rational state’,
Millennium Development Goals in post-apartheid South Africa
Vusi Gumede, PhD - Associate Professor: Development Studies, University of Johannesburg
Abstract Using the 2008 data from the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) and other sources of data, this paper traces South Africa’s progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) barometer.
The South African developmental state in the making.
Vusi Gumede, PhD - Associate Professor: Development Studies, University of Johannesburg
Abstract This paper analyses the degree to which South Africa (SA) could be viewed as a developmental state. It interrogates the policy apparatus and estimates indices of human development in the post-apartheid SA.
Poverty, inequality and human development in a post-apartheid South Africa*
Vusi Gumede, PhD - Associate Professor: Development Studies, University of Johannesburg
Although income poverty appears to have declined in the recent past it remains high (Gumede 2008). Calculations based on the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) dataset suggests that 47% of South Africans live below the poverty line: 56% of blacks live in poverty to 2% of whites using and arbitary income poverty line of R502 per capita.
Poverty and ‘Second Economy’ in South Africa: An Attempt to Clarify Applicable Concepts and Quantify Extent of Relevant Challenges
Vusi Gumede, PhD - Associate Professor: Development Studies, University of Johannesburg
Given how the South African Government conceptualises poverty, the paper agues that it is in the 'intersection' access to income, services and assets that the issue of overall poverty trends and the magnitude of the 'secondary economy' since 1994 should be examined.
