The role of ANC economic policies in driving social and economic transformation in South Africa

Abstract

This thesis is premised on the argument that while the African National Congress (ANC) has consistently articulated a commitment to social and economic transformation, the policy decisions made during and after the 2012 policy conference reflect a continuity of macroeconomic orthodoxy that limits the potential for genuine transformation. The study explores the policy resolutions adopted during President Jacob Zuma’s administration, their alignment with the government’s 2014 to 2019 Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), and the subsequent policy shifts introduced under President Cyril Ramaphosa. Situated within the broader discourse of post-apartheid economic reform, this research engages the framework of Transformative Social Policy (TSP) developed by Thandika Mkandawire, which emphasises the interrelated functions of redistribution, reproduction, production, and protection. Grounded in the historical context of South Africa’s persistent inequality, poverty, and unemployment, the study examines whether ANC policy efforts during this period met the conditions Mkandawire outlines as necessary for transformation, including investment in education and innovation, labour stability, inclusive institutions, and coherence between economic and social policies. Employing a qualitative document analysis methodology, the research draws evidence from ANC policy documents, government strategic plans, and public discourse to assess the extent to which these conditions were present and whether the policies adopted had the potential to realise TSP goals. The findings reveal that Radical Economic Transformation (RET) emerged as a dominant political narrative during the Zuma presidency, positioned as a vehicle for transformative change. However, the absence of a formal policy framework for RET, coupled with its rejection during the ANC’s 2012 policy conference, undermined its potential as a structured agenda for change. Despite this, RET continued to influence decision making within state departments and state owned entities, often leading to governance challenges, internal party conflict, and contested interpretations of policy. While elements of TSP are reflected in ANC rhetoric and planning documents, the lack of institutional readiness and the failure to create enabling conditions limited the prospects for meaningful transformation. The contribution of this study lies in its critical interrogation of the disconnect between the ANC’s stated transformative ambitions and the policy and institutional realities of 5 governance, offering a nuanced understanding of the limits and contradictions within post- apartheid policy development in South Africa.