Introduction: the shifting understandings of skills in South Africa since industrialisation

Key Points

• The aim is to explore how the concept of skill has influenced social and economic policies during the Mbeki presidency in South Africa.
• Analysis of government policies and public discourse regarding skills
• Examination of skill’s role in economic growth and poverty reduction
• Discussion on the implications of skill for national development projects.
• Skill emerged as a central theme in government strategies for economic improvement and social performance.
• The focus on skill correlates with broader goals of enhancing international competitiveness.
• Weaknesses in implementation were attributed to perceptions and definitions of skill in policy.