Culture and Development in a ‘Globalising’ South Africa (2000)

This research investigates the intricate relationship between African culture and economic development, addressing the paradoxical challenge faced by many African nations in translating their rich cultural heritage into sustainable economic growth. Grounded in the context of the African continent's diverse cultures and abundant resources, the study explores how cultural norms, values, and perceptions impact work ethic, decision-making, and economic participation. Drawing on a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing insights from cultural entrepreneurship, development projects, cultural policymaking, and research institutes specializing in cultural economics, the research aims to unravel the nuanced dynamics shaping Africa's economic trajectory. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including in-depth interviews with cultural entrepreneurs and stakeholders, a comprehensive survey distributed to a diverse participant pool, and quantitative analysis using SPSS. The anticipated findings aspire to contribute not only to academic literature but also to the development of culturally sensitive policies, empowerment of communities, and unlocking Africa's full economic potential by leveraging its rich cultural heritage.

Journal of International Cultural Policy, 2014

During the negotiations towards a post-1994 new political dispensation in South Africa, the African National Congress expected culture to play a pivotal role in the development of a new country and society. However, since the inception of the new government, culture has been drifting further into the eriphery of the country’s development framework. This paper examines the challenges of adopting culture-sensitive development framework in South Africa. The authors identify four areas wherein culture is adversely affected in South Africa. The areas include legislation, finance, national priority listing and the National Development Plan (NDP). They argue that continued disregard of culture in the country’s development perpetuates the Apartheid legacy of spatial infrastructure network it seeks to eradicate. The authors further advocate the review of relevant legislation, capacity building in cultural policy formulation and implementation, realignment of government structures for effective and efficient implementation of cultural policy, and strong political leadership to ensure that decisions taken by the ruling party are translated into government policy. Lastly, they advocate a National Culture Plan as a postscript to the NDP. Keywords: cultural policy; cultural planning; national development plan; National Culture Plan; spatial planning

Africanus, 2008

The investment interest from multinational organisations in South Africa has grown since the country began the process of re-evaluating the past. South Africa is challenged by issues of organisational and human resource management, multiculturalism, and economic and political changes in the social and economic sectors. This article discusses the role of South African organisations, their emerging management practices and organisational capacities in management, and potentialities for sub-Saharan Africa. The authors discuss seven propositions for South African organisations that may function as a model for sub-Saharan countries in managing culture and change in organisational settings. The critical discussion of these propositions leads to recommendations on managing culture and change in South African contexts that may be transferred to other sub-Saharan countries, not forgetting that South Africa may also have something to learn from other African countries.

Journal of Asian and African Studies, 2002

I t would be bad faith, despite the present economic woes of South Africa, to speak of the apartheid era as "the good old days." Of course this view refers largely to economics, not taking into account the fundamental societal changes since the first democratic elections in 1994. Many of the articles in this issue, while taking into account the growing pains related to global economic and social demands made on the new South Africa, dispute the "good old days" theory. Rather, they point to changes wrought, often through extreme efforts, since 1994 and suggest some ways in which the continued iniquitous influence of apartheid can finally be eradicated. In South Africa, progress towards equality is a thorny project. The world is beset by the demands of global capitalism whose strict financial rules often put countries under intense economic pressure, leaving little room for reforms at a more local level. The basic profit-related programs of global expansionists with varied social consciousness, remain fundamentally different from those of governments. Third World governments often just do not have the financial and political wherewithal to support both the social and political reforms needed in their countries and the economic programs required by globalization to link fully to the global economy. It has therefore been an unfortunate age for South Africa to have to embark upon reforms with a view to righting the racially based wrongs of the old apartheid state and colonial history. The demands of global capitalism are not felt in South Africa alone. Castells (1997) has detailed the demise of the nation-state and the powerlessness of the nation-state in the world today. He emphasizes that the nation-state's loss of power is of a fundamental nature and is a systematic, global phenomenon,

2007

Globalisation is characterised by divergent interests and opinions. The term has widely been used, in recent times, to exhibit affluence of civilisation and erudition. This explains why a single Google search under the keyword “globalisation” yields almost 2 million hits within 0.07 seconds. Globalisation is widely seen as a connecting rod between trade and economic growth through the spillover and multiplier effects of its agencies (foreign direct investments and portfolio investments). As a process that facilitates global integration of economies and societies, its impacts over the past fifty years has been amazing. It has been widely praised for catalysing the spate of current unprecedented levels of economic prosperity, reduction in the level and prevalence of poverty, and improved quality of life, and life expectancy. Conversely, it has also generated a lot of criticism, which have emanated from its purported erosion of national sovereignty, disregard for labour and environment...

Journal of Southern African Studies, 2002

Whereas most countries in Southern Africa have experienced globalisation as externally imposed, in South Africa it has been largely internally generated by the state and the major business groups that dominate the economy. This paper examines the political economy of restructuring in South Africa, focusing particularly on the statist and capitalist logics of globalisation, and how they intersect. It explains how the South African state is trying to negotiate globalisation, and why major South African conglomerates have moved their headquarters to Britain. The impacts on employment and economic diversi cation of increasing globalisation from the 'outside in' are explored. As a result of the restructuring of globalisation, the South African state is increasingly characterised by 'negative autonomy' from domestic social forces and embeddedness with transnational capital, which undermine the potential for a national developmental project. South Africa's experience has important implications for globalisation theory, which can inform praxis. The article concludes by suggesting ways the political economy might be progressively restructured. * Many thanks to David Simon, Ben Fine, Jo Beall and the journal referees for their insightful comments and to everyone who helped me in South Africa, who were exceptionally generous with their time and resources. Any errors of fact or interpretation are mine. This research was funded by the University of Vermont's Committee on Research and Scholarship. The writing was facilitated by the College of Arts and Sciences 'junior leave' policy. The writing was undertaken while the author was a Visiting Scholar at the Department of Geography , Boston University. Many thanks to the department for their hospitality. Earlier versions were presented in Vermont at

Annals of Regional Science, 2003

Perceptions differ on the positive impact globalization has on the economic environment of the developed and developing world. This paper identifies elements of the African economic make-up that could hinder or assist in the reconnection of the region into the global economic society. It then discusses structural changes that have occurred in South Africa's economic and demographic profile over the past two decades to demonstrate how different sections of the country's population have reacted to threats and opportunities posed by changing local, regional and global circumstances in recent years. Particular emphasis is placed in the latter part of the paper on the dominant role that the Greater Johannesburg urban agglomeration plays nationally and internationally and the way in which changing agglomeration forces have influenced the relocation of multinationals in the metropolitan region.

Development Southern Africa, 2001

The world is currently engaged in a process of globalisation, as is reflected in the growth of world trade, unification of capital markets, internationalisation of production, distribution networks and the megarevolution in information, communications and technology. Globalisation presents both opportunities and challenges for developing countries, especially the southern African region. It also demands that the region becomes competitive in attracting investment, applying new technology, and producing goods and services that can compete efficiently on the global market. The main purpose of this article is therefore to consider whether southern Africa is likely to enter a global community successfully, and be prosperous in the process. to the effects of globalisation, be they positive or negative, real or perceived (Veseth, 1998: 12). The root cause of misunderstanding globalisation is that of ignoring its complexity. Complex social issues that are difficult to understand are simplified; we take some facts into account while ignoring others (or taking them as a given fact). If the issue is complex enough, it is possible to see exactly what one wants to see (Veseth, 1998: 90). Globalisation conveys the widely accepted idea that we are living in a borderless world. According to this view, globalisation signifies the end of geography. Notice is no longer taken of distance or national policy, and national governments must accommodate what global markets dictate (Veseth, 1998: 21). On the political map the boundaries between countries may be very clear, but on the competitive map that shows the flows of financial and industrial activity, such boundaries have largely disappeared. National economies are no longer immune to external influences and cannot be insulated from global effects.

2018

Owosuyi IL "Contemplating the role of culture in sustainable development through cultural governance in South Africa"-submitted to Speculum Juris (a peer-reviewed academic journal).