Good Capitalism, Bad Capitalism

This book offers a balanced and absorbing analysis of what various institutions and individuals have (and have not) done to eradicate the legacy of apartheid and bring South Africa to where it is today. Freed from the shackles of the Zuma regime, South Africa now has a decisive opportunity to take stock of what has gone wrong in the country since the advent of democracy and take appropriate corrective action. But will it? What are the chances of success? History can so easily repeat itself if politicians and business leaders choose to ignore the lessons of the past. Fresh thinking and a large dose of pragmatism are imperative if South Africa is to turn the corner and build a bigger, stronger and better economy. At this critical juncture, organised business institutions in South Africa also need to reprise their role as the voice and champion of the constituencies they are mandated to serve. “Raymond Parsons has written a masterly overview of the role of organised business during apartheid, the key years of transition to democracy and post-1994. He offers the unique insights of an economist, an economic historian and a key figure in organised business throughout the period. But the true value of this book lies not so much in looking back as in looking forwards, especially with the Ramaphosa era now upon us. Professor Parsons persuasively argues that business must play a greater role in helping to shape a future that better addresses South Africa’s socio-economic problems.” – Professor Gavin Keeton, Rhodes University