Since our democracy in 1994, South Africa’s competition policy has received positive international attention. The Competition Act of 1998 was ahead of its time, recognizing that credible competition law and effective structures are necessary for an efficient functioning economy. 30 years later, how has South Africa’s competition policy evolved? In this podcast, ERSA’s host sits down with Prof Willem Boshoff, who is a Professor of Economics and Co-Director of the Center for Competition Law and Economics at Stellenbosch University to discuss his research on “Two competing approaches in South African competition policy: Merger control and anti-cartel enforcement over three decades”. How have these approaches, and the way they have been enforced, evolved over time? What role do domestic and international experience, literature and empirical evidence play, compared to politics, or policy preferences? And how do the drivers of this evolution impact the future direction and credibility of competition law in South Africa? For those interested in learning about these competing models and how they could influence economic growth, and welfare, this episode is not to be missed.
