ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the evolving history of the country's manufacturing economy before switching attention to an examination of recent debates and trends in the sector. It was the mineral discoveries in the late-nineteenth century which provided the justification and requirement for the emergence of a modern, capital-intensive manufacturing sector capable of meeting the increasingly sophisticated needs of the mineral sector and the growing population. A key factor promoting the booms was the introduction from the 1920s of import substitution policies which significantly aided the expansion of the consumer goods industry. The nature of South Africa's economic evolution has had a defined impact on the current structure and nature of the manufacturing economy. The chapter considers the broad features and trends which currently characterise the manufacturing sector. One of the key themes influencing manufacturing has clearly been the impact of trade liberalisation.
