In this insightful and provocative book, Frans Rautenbach proposes a complete overhaul of policy thinking, and provides fresh arguments that effectively address South Africa’s high unemployment, race problems and lack of education.

Rautenbach examines the fundamental problem of rent-seeking, to which he proposes two antidotes: the free market and decentralisation of government. Along the way he tackles holy cows such as affirmative action, trade unions, labour law and welfare payments. He also addresses contentious topics such as racism, white privilege, political correctness, State funding of higher education and mounting evidence that trade unions substantially suppress employment growth.

Written by a labour lawyer with a proven track record in a range of policy issues, South Africa Can Work speaks effectively to a cross-section of readers of all disciplines, and brings sorely needed good news.

About the author

Frans Rautenbach is an advocate and labour lawyer at the Cape Town Bar. Between 2001 and 2006 he consulted to the governments of Uganda and Tanzania on labour-law reform, licensing and business laws, and economic cost-benefit analysis as a legislative policy tool.

In 2012 he appeared as part of the legal team of the Free Market Foundation in a constitutional challenge of section 32 of the Labour Relations Act, with strong emphasis on economic and policy implications. His interest in the impact of labour law on unemployment and industrial unrest resulted in two books on labour deregulation: Set the Workers Free and Liberating South African Labour from the Law. His other publications include Labour Litigation, In all Labour Profit  and Your Kruger Park Guide, which gives advice on his favourite pastime – holidaying in the park with his family.

South Africa Can Work is published by Penguin Random House South Africa