Survival or strategy? SA’s informal economy

Loading player...
South Africa's informal economy is everywhere - from taxi ranks and
pavement stalls to township salons and spaza shops. But is it simply a
response to unemployment and inequality, or is it becoming the country's
real engine of growth and innovation?

Justice Malala leads an expert panel for a provocative conversation
exploring who South Africa's economy is really built for - and what the
rise of informal trade says about the future of work, opportunity, and
survival in South Africa.

Panel:
Kefilwe Ndaba - National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa
(NITASA)
Botsang Moiloa - Action SA
Lubabalo Magwentshu - African Transformation Movement

Tags:
South Africa, Democracy Unplugged, Podcast Party SA, Justice Malala,
politics, current affairs, informal trade, economy, news, Action SA,
African Transformation Movement
28 May English South Africa Politics · News

Other recent episodes

Can the Constitution Still Save South Africa?

What happens when one of the world’s most progressive constitutions collides with corruption, inequality and political dysfunction? In this week’s episode, Phumi Mashigo explores whether South Africa’s democracy is being protected, or slowly weakened, and why the Constitution still matters now more than ever. She is joined by human rights…
21 May 27 min

From "New Dawn” to Political Crossroads

Did South Africans buy into hope, only to end up confronting more political disappointment? Phumi Mashigo dives into President Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala fallout, the ANC’s growing credibility crisis, and the debate over whether Cyril Ramaphosa is a consensus builder - or simply too passive for the moment South Africa finds…
14 May 48 min

Can the gap between education policy and delivery finally be closed?

Following our previous education discussion, a clearer picture begins to emerge: one defined not just by underperformance, but by mounting pressure. Demand is rising faster than capacity, and while the state continues to expand its role, it’s increasingly doing so through partnerships that sit adjacent to the system itself. So…
7 May 40 min

Democracy vs Reality: Why South Africans Are Losing Faith in Voting

South Africa is a young democracy, yet its voters are ageing while optimism continues to fade. Every election cycle raises the same concerns about youth disengagement and low voter turnout, but the deeper issue may not be a lack of understanding—it may be a loss of belief in impact. For…
23 Apr 33 min

Has education transformation worked?

What has 30 years of education reform in South Africa actually produced? For more than three decades, James Urdang has worked at the intersection of education, civil society, and social change. As the founder of Education Africa, his work has been shaped by a clear belief that education remains one…
22 Apr 40 min