Managing Africa’s Strongest Economy: The History of Management in South Africa, 1920–2018

Business development follows successful entrepreneurs and managers. This chapter explains the trajectory of management development in South Africa as it supported the growth of the only modern industrial economy in Africa. Education in commerce and accounting branched out to dedicated management education after the Second World War. The symbiosis between business and institutions of education developed along the domestic sociopolitical contours of racial segregation. The basis of management development was and still is grounded in sustained alignment with European and American scientific models of best practice in management. The history of management in South Africa is explored to account for the distinct position of internationally recognised leadership of the locally trained management corps and executive leadership.