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A new co-operative revolution in South Africa? Reflections on the outcomes of state support in the Free State Province

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  • Johannes Wessels
  • Etienne Nel

Abstract

There has been growing interest in the role and potential which co-operatives can play in terms of economic and community development in the Global South as alternatives to more conventional models of business organisation. One country which has been particularly proactive in this regard is South Africa, where co-operatives feature prominently in national and provincial level development strategies and support. This paper overviews key themes in the literature before proceeding to a case study of the effectiveness of state support for co-operatives in the Free State Province of South Africa. Findings show that the well-intentioned objectives of state interventions are not being realised due to poor business planning, lack of training, poor market links and the seeming prioritisation of political over economic considerations.

Suggested Citation

  • Johannes Wessels & Etienne Nel, 2016. "A new co-operative revolution in South Africa? Reflections on the outcomes of state support in the Free State Province," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 31(1-2), pages 187-203, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:loceco:v:31:y:2016:i:1-2:p:187-203
    DOI: 10.1177/0269094215621731
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johnston Birchall, 2013. "The potential of co-operatives during the current recession; theorizing comparative advantage," Journal of Entrepreneurial and Organizational Diversity, European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises, vol. 2(1), pages 1-22, May.
    2. Sally Hartley & Hazel Johnson, 2014. "Learning to Co-operate: Youth Engagement with the Co-operative Revival in Africa," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 26(1), pages 55-70, January.
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