South Africa Pre-election Briefing


When:

07/5/2019

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Location:

Alumni Lecture Theatre (SALT), Paul Webley Wing, SOAS

Admission:

5 / Free for RAS members 

On the 8th of May 2019 South Africans will head to the keenly anticipated 6th National and Provincial Elections. The ruling ANC’s incumbent candidate President Cyril Ramaphosa faces off with the liberal, pro-business Democratic Alliance and the populist Marxist Economic Freedom Fighters.

The ANC has monopolised power since 1994. It hopes in 2019 to build on to its 62% majority which it won in the last national elections. The DA wants to boost its share of the vote from 22% to at least 27% nationally and take over provincial government in the economic heartland of Gauteng. The EEF is positioning itself as king-maker in provinces where there is no clear winner, a role it played after the results of the 2016 municipal elections.

While South Africa is attempting to emerge from its first recession in almost a decade, its economic prospects remain bleak. For many South Africans this election will be about finding a government that can find viable solutions to deal with social and economic inequalities, to deal decisively with corruption, ensuring sustainable job creation, reduce crime and ensure service delivery. The recent crisis around the state energy provider Eskom being the most recent example of a state infrastructure buckling under the pressure. Given these problems South Africans are feeling the effect of slow growth and are desperate for increased growth capacity.

 

All candidate parties have unveiled ambitious blueprints aimed at addressing these challenges. However, will any of the contenders be able to make these blueprints a reality to affect genuine change for the people of South Africa and make the nation a viable destination for outside international investment?

 

Presented by GBS Africa and Royal Africa Society, this international pre-election briefing will look at the various political dynamics and their impact on the elections. We will also discuss some of the factors that may impact politics and economic activity in South Africa post-election, providing international journalists, UK Corporates, civil society and developmental organisations with important content.

 

 

Speakers:

Razia Khan, Senior Economist – Standard Chartered
Jabu Sibeko CDE, Chairperson – ANC UK
Jason Robinson, Senior Analyst, Africa – Oxford Analytica
Justin Adams, DA Abroad UK Chairperson
Pumela Salela, UK Country Head – Brand South Africa
Sharon Constancon, Chair of the South Africa Chambers of Commerce
Chair: Dr Sue Onslow, Deputy Director/Senior Lecturer – Institute of Commonwealth Studies

 

Presented in partnership with GBS Africa.

Register – £5 / Free for RAS members 

*Tickets are limited, please reserve your place now.