At present, less than 10% of the unemployed actively looking for work are absorbed into the labour market each year. What about the 90% who will not make it? What are our strategies to support the economic inclusion of this large group of people – who are mainly young? This Development Dialogue focused on lessons – and opportunities – from the Presidential Employment Stimulus, which has supported over two million jobs and livelihood opportunities since its inception in 2020. It looked at the role such publicly funded employment programmes can play in support of complementary livelihoods, self-employment and enterprise development pathways for those marginalised from other employment opportunities in our economy - and what that means for how such programmes are designed.

What happens to Sasol’s Secunda Coal-toChemicals-and-Liquids facility, which is a major contributor to the domestic economy, illustrates the difficulties South Africa faces in its transition to a lower-carbon future. Sasol, the only domestic source of petrochemicals for a myriad of downstream industries, is heavily reliant on coal, and hence is a major greenhouse gas emitter. Increasing carbon taxes, environmental pressures and potential carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAM), combined with declining coal and gas reserves that could affect its export markets, cloud its future.

This development dialogue will discuss the recently released TIPS report that explores these issues, other constraints facing Sasol and policy options going forward. Read the paper and policy brief here.

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) Development Dialogue on Gendering Industrial Policy

Opening Remarks by Moderator:  Liako Mofo (TIPS)

Presentations and discussion:

• Neva Makgetla (TIPS) – Insights from Paper
• Nokwanda Maseko (TIPS) – Insights from Paper
• Josephilda Hlope (DPME) – Discussant

PRESENTATIONS

Nokwanda Maseko (TIPS) Women’s economic access and the limitations of “men in hard hats” industrial policy.

Neva Makgetla (TIPS) Toward an industrial policy for women

MEDIA

NEVA MAKGETLA: Women lose out with SA industrial policy

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Moderator

Liako Mofo is a senior economist at TIPS. She has worked on trade policy and regional value chains in different sectors.

Dr Neva Makgetla is a senior economist at TIPS. Makgetla has published widely on the South African economy and worked for many years in government.

Nokwanda Maseko is a senior economist at TIPS. Her work is at the intersection of industrial policy, gender and the just transition. She previously worked as a Budget Analyst at the National Treasury, and as an Assistant Director for Industrial Policy at the Economic Development Department.

Josephilda Hlope is Outcome Facilitator responsible for Social Protection and Social Cohesion and leads engagement on the G20 Development Working Group at the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. . She served as Chief Policy Analyst in the Advisory Services Directorate Economic in the Presidency from 2008 to 2010, and was a member of the National Planning Commission Secretariat for the NDP in the Presidency from 2010 to 2014. As part of her career, she has developed evidence-based policies and programmes, streamlined monitoring and evaluation processes, and implemented innovative national development strategies.

TIPS Dialogues bring together academics, policymakers, civil society organisations, workers, and practitioners to discuss important issues and share ideas on industrial policy. TIPS is partnering with the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (the dtic).

If you wish to join, in-person at TIPS offices, 234 Lange Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria, South Africa or virtually please register here.