Post-Development Approach in the Post-Apartheid Governance of South Africa

This article critically examines the development trajectory of post-apartheid governance of South Africa through a post-development approach. The neoliberalism approach as one of the contemporary currents of development theory is outlined. The discussion of this development theory focuses on both neoliberal and neo-classical theories as orthodoxy in mainstream development and the governance project for South Africa. The article has relied on critical thinking theory where secondary material from a literature assessment was used. This approach was considered to draw meanings from the existing government policies and resources relevant to the notion of developmentalism in South Africa. In the final analysis, this article argues that neo-liberalism has contributed to a mixed bag of outcomes which need to be realised to improve governance of post-apartheid South Africa. There were areas of increasing middle class cohort while on the other hand neo-patrimonial outcomes were often obvious through creation of corruption space especially when privatisation and outsourcing of projects are considered in the public sector. In this regard, a case for a post-development paradigm for developing countries is made in maintaining in increasing inclusive development trajectory for the citizens.