South Africa learns from China

A discussion at the University of Johannesburg’s Business School concluded that South Africa can learn from China’s development models, especially in long-term planning and implementation. The article places this view in the context of China’s rise as the world’s second-largest economy and South Africa’s struggle to turn plans into measurable growth.

The piece also reflects a broader debate involving academics, state officials and students about how China’s governance, investment and development approach might offer practical lessons for South Africa. The focus is not on copying China directly, but on identifying ideas that could strengthen South Africa’s own development path.