Abstract
M.Comm.
Since South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994, our economy has increasingly become integrated with the global economy. The South African currency crisis of 1996 prompted me to investigate other currency crises that had occurred in emerging markets. There were some stark similarities in the currency crises, yet they all had individual causes particular to each country. There are, however, some valuable lessons to be learned for South Africa as an emerging economy. What makes this dissertation more relevant was the deepening Asian crisis during 1998 and its spill over effect in other emerging markets, including South Africa. Whilst the crises seem to have abated, the problem is far from solved. If not managed correctly this could have dire effects on not only emerging economies, but the entire global financial system.