Launch of OECD Economic Survey of South Africa 2013

UCT's South African Labour and Development Research Unit and Graduate School of Development Policy and Practice recently hosted the launch of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 2013 Economic Survey of South Africa.

Andreas Wörgötter, Head of Division in the OECD Economics Department, presented the report for the first time in South Africa. He has the ability to deliver complex economic information in accessible language, while presenting a compelling overview of the major issues. South Africa was complimented on its sophisticated grip on policy, but was on the receiving end of hard hitting comments on the state of education, corruption and the extremely high level of unemployment and the links between these factors and the current lack of growth in the economy.

Those attending the launch – academics from all Western Cape Universities, representatives from many tiers and sections of government and other players in the economic arena, along with participants in the course on 'Innovations in Public Employment Programmes ', which was underway at the time – made full use of the question and answer session, followed by yet more discussions during the reception that followed.