IFAA would like to congratulate our senior researcher, Dr Hibist Kassa, on the publication of her chapter ‘The Crisis of Social Reproduction in Petty Commodity Production and Large-scale Mining: A Southern Perspective on Gender Inequality’ in the new collection Inequality Studies from the Global South, Routledge (2020). For more information … Read More
IFAA Statement on Student Fees Protest
The Institute for African Alternatives (IFAA) notes that the student movement has rallied young people to come together to insist on inclusive, quality education for all. We offer the following points: The protest action on university campuses across the country expresses legitimate concerns and grievances. The issue of fee increases … Read More
Industry Adds Value
Below find Prof. Ben Turok’s letter to Business Day on 17 June 2015. ALLOW me to comment on Songezo Zibi’s latest column (Unembargoed, June 15). He takes a rather pessimistic view on the prospects of industrialisation in SA through building a “bigger heavy industrial sector … to fuel infrastructure”. The … Read More
Can our current Transformation efforts learn from Past Struggles?
Prof. Ben Turok (Director) addressed Smuts Hall (UCT) on Thursday 23rd April. His notes are published below. South Africa under apartheid was a partial democracy for white people and a dictatorship for Africans, Coloureds, and Indians. Our present system is referred to as a constitutional democracy or a parliamentary democracy … Read More
Xenophobic Violence is a disaster for South Africa’s aspirations in Africa
Sir, The rise of xenophobia with violence is a disaster for South Africa’s aspirations in Africa. Many reasons have been advanced for this unexpected explosion and no doubt many socioeconomic factors are at play. But what stands out for me is the intense hatred for Africa’s immigrants and refugees as … Read More
Transformation at UCT: A contribution from IFAA
The Institute for African Alternatives (IFAA) supports the call for transformation at UCT. It is clear that the university needs to embrace change and abandon a physical and academic infrastructure which does not reflect the aspirations of its students and broader society. Although we are delighted to hear of … Read More
Can our Intellectuals Rise above the Constraints?
Below find Prof. Turok’s presentation to a roundtable on The Role of Intellectuals in the State-Society Nexus. The event was convened by The Mapungubwe Institute (MISTRA) and Liliesleaf on 4th March 2015. I am asked to respond to the paper by Joel Netshitenzhe. This is always a pleasure since he has … Read More
IFAA Monthly Update: March 2015
Please read below for news, updates on our activities and upcoming events. Partnerships Partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) IFAA has confirmed a partnership agreement with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa to conduct policy research on the mineral value chain in South Africa. Our … Read More
Towards a Joined up Economy: Remarks for Colloquium on Beneficiation (DTI)
Remarks made by Prof. Turok at the Colloquium on Beneficiation hosted by the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry. The Colloquium took place between 27 August-4 September 2014 in Parliament, Cape Town Click on the following link to download: Towards a Joined up Economy
A Call for Socially Conscious Engineers
Prof. Turok’s address for the graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (2014). “Engineers must be mindful of the socioeconomic impact of their work.” It is a great honour for me to speak at my old alma mater, particularly to engineering graduates. On my first day as … Read More
The Scope for Domestic Value Addition in a Mining Economy: The South African Case
ABSTRACT In this paper Professor Ben Turok (director) examines the constraints on beneficiation in South Africa. He calls for a negotiated compromise on domestic prices, perhaps for a fixed period, with suitable provisions for improved infrastructure services, and step-by-step measures to enhance local value addition and beneficiation by local manufacturers and … Read More
Conference: Interface between Mining and Manufacturing
An experts’ consultation on the Interface between Mining and Manufacturing was held at the IDC on 22 August 2013. IFAA co-hosted the forum along with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The forum also benefitted from the support of the Department of … Read More
BD Letter to Editor: Cape Town Mining Lekgotla
Prof. Turok writes to Business Day regarding the Cape Town Mining Lekgotla. Sir, The report on the legislative proposals discussed at the Cape Town Mining Lekgotla (11.2.2015) raises many concerns. The mining industry has consistently stuck to its determination to sell minerals in the South African market at import parity prices … Read More
SONA 2015: Fracas in the House
Ben Turok writes on SONA 2015: “Let the good and wise leaders stand up!” Published in the Sunday Times 22/02/2015. I was not present in the National Assembly when the EFF was forcible removed but watched the scene on television. The pandemonium was awful, but what also struck me was the … Read More
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The Mixed Economy is here to stay
Ben Turok (director)