Unveiling the Dynamics of Government Employment Programs: South Africa Hosts Public Economics Conference

South Africa’s Treasury is set to host a two-day Public Economics Conference in September 2023, with a focus on “Employment and the economics of job creation: Evaluating government employment programmes.” The event aims to examine the country’s public finance challenges, such as difficult spending choices, the transformation of the electricity and renewable energy sector, and the need to support growth and employment creation.

Objectives of the Conference

The 2023 Public Economics Conference is expected to draw insights from recent expert studies and the Government Technical Advisory Centre’s (GTAC) research into selected spending review studies, public expenditure programs, and Jobs Fund experience. The conference will showcase government initiatives designed to boost job creation and address unemployment in a labor-surplus economy.

The conference will feature a stellar line-up of respected experts in the field, including Michael Sachs, Vimal Ranchod, Josh Budlender, Kate Philip, and Wandile Sihlobo. The Minister of Finance, Mr. Enoch Godongwana, is also expected to open the conference.

Conference Format

This year’s event is a combination of a Winter School and Savings@Work conference, aimed at unlocking valuable yet often inaccessible evidence to shed light on the success and failure of various programs. The conference offers an opportunity for post-graduate students and young economists to gain knowledge and skills on an array of public finance topics and network with economists working in the National Treasury and its agencies, along with renowned academics and specialists in the field.

The virtual conference will take place on the Airmeet platform from 08:30 to 15:30, with registration opening at 08:30. Journalists interested in attending the conference are requested to RSVP at media@treasury.gov.za.

Conference Topics

The first day of the conference will begin with an overview of South Africa’s fiscal policy challenges and the spending choices required to narrow the gap between the government’s policy agenda and available resources. Additionally, the event will examine the investment requirements of the energy transition and the implications of shifting from coal to renewable energy resources for the national electricity grid. The opening day will conclude with a review of income statistics from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) data, discussing trends in income distribution, employment, and growth over the past decade.

Dedicated to presentations and responses to selected spending reviews, big data analytics, and Jobs Fund projects, the second day of the conference will focus on employment and job creation programs undertaken over the years. This information will inform choices regarding employment policy and program design.

Implications of the Conference

This event marks a critical step in understanding the intricacies of government employment programs and their impacts on job creation and economic growth. Through this conference, the South African government demonstrates its commitment to addressing the nation’s public finance challenges, fostering an environment where experts, policymakers, and young professionals can collaborate on solutions and share insights into the complexities of job creation and employment policy.