Improving manufacturing value-add key to a more equal society

The revival and expansion of the manufacturing sector could play a critical role in South Africa’s challenging battle against deepening levels of inequality. High levels of manufacturing value add (MVA) can unlock opportunities for employment and greater equality in a country that suffers high unemployment levels, a rapidly reducing MVA at 13.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) and one of the highest Gini coefficients in the world.