How an Inefficient Power Provider Could Dim South Africa's Prosperity

MIN READFeb 19, 2019 | 10:00 GMT

A nationwide strike by members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions on Feb. 13, 2019, came in response to a government plan to restructure the state-owned electric utility.

(RAJESH JANTILAL/AFP/Getty Images)

More than a year after assuming South Africa's presidency, Cyril Ramaphosa is still trying to balance the twin pressures of populism and business as his government strives to address some of the long-term economic problems that have plagued the country for years. However, with its economy still in the doldrums and general elections approaching on May 8, the president faces a pressing dilemma: How to reform key sectors of the economy to spur a wider economic improvement while also pursuing policy choices that will appease the traditional bases of support for his ruling African National Congress party, such as labor unions....