Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) on Thursday launched a book titled Towards Democratic Developmental States in Southern Africa which is expected to contribute to ongoing debates on democratic developmental states in Southern Africa.
The book provides hope and inspiration to Southern African countries that a democratic developmental state is a possibility in the twentieth-century if the right conditions are put in place.
Speaking at the launch, Masego Madzwamuse who was part of the editing team for the publication said the book contributes to ongoing debates (policy options) on democratic developmental states.
“The objective of the book is to contribute to ongoing debates (policy options) on democratic developmental states and advance a conceptual framework of what a developmental state on Southern Africa in the 21st century should entail.
“The six case study countries were chosen to include three countries with a functional state with planning policy and resource capacity (Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa).
“A democratic but weak agrarian economy (Malawi and two states facing systematic crises which are Zimbabwe and Angola,” said Madzwamuse.
Speaking at the same event, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President, Peter Mutasa said the book was launched at a time the economy of Zimbabwe is undergoing wrenching structural regression characterized by persistent de-industrialisation and in formalization.
“This national launch is coming at a time when the Zimbabwean economy is undergoing wrenching structural regression characterized by persistent de-industrialisation and in formalization.
“ Recently, between 2011 and 2014, 4,610 companies closed, affecting 55,443 workers according to recent statistics from the Ministry of Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare, 2,120 workers were retrenched during the first half of 2017 representing a 16 per cent increase from the 1,825 workers retrenched during the first half of 2016,”said Mutasa.
