| Summary: | D.Com. (Economics) === The South African economy has deteriorated over the past two decades which has resulted In, amongst others, a lower economic growth rate with Increased unemployment. To Increase the general standard Of living, growth and development have become of the utmost Importance. To speed up this process, South Africa needs a new approach to growth and development. The approach suggested In this study, combines the "orthodox approach", which concentrates on maximum growth, with the "basic needs approach", which concentrates on the elimination of poverty. The "combined approach" thus concentrates on (a) the dynamic sectors In the economy which are considered as growth sectors, (b) those sectors which contribute to the elimination of poverty and general soclo-economic requirements and, finally, (c) Implement a structural adjustment programme which will create a suitable climate in which sectors In (a) and (b) can flourish. The manufacturing sector is responsible for approximately 24% of the added value of the South African economy. Given the "combined approach" to development, this sector has the potential to make an even more important contribution to South Africa's economic growth and development. To optlmlse this contribution, one needs to know the potential contribution of each manufacturing sector In relationto certain aspectsof development. There is not much specific specific data available on the manufacturing sectors in South Africa. In order to analyse the various manufacturing sectors, the research partially required the compilation of the data series used In the evaluation process. The data provided by this study has never before been available to this extent in SouthAfrica. The potentia_I contribution of the sectors was evaluated according to specific aspects of development, namely: import replacement; export promotion; inward industrialisation; the effective use of resources; productivity; relative viability; job creation; and, finally, the redistribution of growth between race groups and between regions. The sectors were, according to each aspect of development, graded as leading, average and lagging sectors. Through a compilation of the various modules, the general position of the manufacturing sectors In terms of growth and development can be determined as leading, average or lagging. The grouping does, however, only serve as an indication and does not provide the final answer.
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