Shawn Hagedorn on youth unemployment

How do we solve the persistent problem of youth unemployment in South Africa? 

In this episode of the Solutions With David Ansara podcast, I speak with Shawn Hagedorn, an independent analyst and strategy consultant, about how to promote export-driven labour-intensive growth. 

Shawn and I discuss the origins of South Africa's low growth trap, and the tragically high  unemployment rate, which disproportionately affects the country's youth. 

Shawn believes that the current policy framework is too inwardly-focused, with its emphasis on localisation and beneficiaition. 

Instead, he argues, we need to embrace globalisation and grow the economy through exports, as many East Asian economies have successfully done. 

Shawn and I debate the role that ideology plays in informing economic policy, and explore how labour market regulation effectively excludes millions of people from the job market.

We also speculate on the political battles that will define the run-up to the 2024 elections. How will a potential coalition government respond to the growing economic crisis facing the country?

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:06) Shawn Hagedorn on the origins of South Africa's youth unemployment crisis

(02:55) Shawn Hagedorn on SA's low export volumes

(05:56) Shawn Hagedorn on localisation

(07:35) Shawn Hagedorn on integrating with global value chains

(10:31) Shawn Hagedorn on beneficiation

(14:05) Shawn Hagedorn on labour market regulation

(17:11) Shawn Hagedorn on skills development

(19:54) Shawn Hagedorn on export constraints

(22:55) Shawn Hagedorn on political realignment in 2024

(27:58) Shawn Hagedorn on policy trade-offs

(31:25) Shawn Hagedorn on ideology and policy

(34:13) Shawn Hagedorn on the advantages of large companies

(36:32) Shawn Hagedorn on globalisation

(38:47) Shawn Hagedorn on accessing global markets

(40:28) Conclusion