Abstract
In a globalising and interdependent world economy, cities are becoming stronger players who can pursue their local aspirations independently and parallel to the state's goals. This is true for the aspiration for economic growth through elements of global competitiveness such as economic paradiplomacy. For African cities which have a history of colonialism, including apartheid in South Africa, the goals can come into conflict with local socioeconomic conditions, due to persistent issues such as poverty and inequality, which have some roots in historical injustices. It is, therefore, a primary cause for concern for these local governments that they should be able to pursue their global ambitions while mitigating the risk of reproducing socioeconomic conditions similar to those of colonialism and apartheid in the municipality. South Africa being such a country that has only enjoyed democracy for thirty years, it would be safe to infer that South African cities are faced with this dilemma as well, including the City of Johannesburg, which has also been recognised in recent years as one of the most unequal cities in the world.
This study aimed to conduct an in-depth and empirical analysis of economic paradiplomacy and socioeconomic empowerment in Johannesburg to assess how the former is used to achieve the latter. Using Johannesburg as a case study, the study investigates the relationship between economic paradiplomacy and socio-economic redress in the city, using the ideas informed by the concepts of the global city, the neo-apartheid city and the inclusive global city to analyse data sourced through interviews with city officials and other stakeholders, a review of official documents relating to CoJ ’s economic paradiplomacy, such as policies, memoranda of understanding (MoU) and documentary publications from government websites. The findings reveal that the city uses its strengths as a financial and technological hub of Africa to engage in economic paradiplomacy, with the support of international public-public partnerships, public-private partnerships, and internal municipal entities such as the mayor and companies owned by the city. In the end, the findings also discuss that the city uses these activities and relationships to build a continuously socially inclusive and economically viable city for all its citizens, along with the economic growth garnered as an outcome.