Abstract
M.Comm.
In this study the role and function of an Industrial Strategy in South
Africa was investigated within the context of the Macroeconomic Strategy
for rebuilding and restructuring the economy through growth,
employment and redistribution and keeping in line with the goals set out.
in the Reconstruction and Development Programme.
The findings of the research can be summarised as follows:
The industrial strategies of the past were seen as a mechanism to
protect South Africa's local industries and to support the policy of
import substitution. Against this background the current policy
documents guiding South Africa's industrial strategy were evaluated.
From this it was gathered that the change from a demand side to a
supply side industrial strategy is in line with the above policy
documents.
The industrial strategy is ideally suited to provide a development
service contributory to all aspects of economic development (namely the
institutional, economical, physical and social aspects thereof).
International experience and development information gathered should
be used extensively as a continuous planning and evaluation
instrument as this will ensure that the industrial strategy is relevant,
accountable and influential.
In view of the magnitude of economic development challenges in South
Africa (inter alia directed towards overcoming the inequalities of the past)
the research conclusions reached were a) that the industrial strategy has
indeed a rightful place as part of the bigger macro-economic strategy in
South Africa, but b) for the industrial strategy to play its economic role to
the full, the strategy must keep in line with international developments.