Jump to navigation

Vol 52 No 24

Published 2nd December 2011


South Africa

Selling the state

Politicians, trades unionists and business people join battle for control of the state-owned companies

As budgetary pressures and unemployment mount, the government faces a dilemma over how to reform its state-owned enterprises. Business interests and some cash-strapped ministries eagerly demand sweeping privatisation of state conglomerates such as South African Airways (SAA), the transport company Transnet, and the electricity utility Eskom. Other ministries, senior officials in the governing African National Congress and their trades union allies rail against such sacrilege and demand these ‘crown jewels’ be kept in public ownership, not least because privatisation would mean the loss of tens of thousands of jobs.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 1399 words.

End of preview

Subscribers: Log in now to read the complete article.

Account Holders: Log in now and use your Account Credit to buy this article. No Credit? Top up your Account now.


If you are logged in, but still cannot access the full text of this article, email customer services or telephone us on +44(0)1638 743633.