President Jacob Zuma will lead a delegation of 17 ministers and deputy ministers to the World Economic Forum's Africa meeting in Durban this week in an attempt, economists say, to demonstrate unity in the government.
The three-day event begins tomorrow at the Durban International Convention Centre and will be attended by world leaders, economists and analysts.
Almost the entire cabinet will be accompanying Zuma to the Durban meeting.
The larger-than-usual government contingent, which includes Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba and his deputy, Sifiso Buthelezi, is being seen as a strategy to restore confidence in South Africa in the wake of the cabinet reshuffle and the dumping of Pravin Gordhan as finance minister, and the credit rating downgrades.
Economist Dawie Roodt said the government needed to use the opportunity presented by the forum wisely and to make sure that it presented firm policies and realistic plans to regain investor confidence.
"There needs to be good leadership to calm some nerves, but you have to show people what you can offer. We don't even know what 'radical economic transformation' is," said Roodt.
This year the forum will focus on issues such as education, skills and employment, entrepreneurship, energy, infrastructure and development finance, climate change, and science, technology and innovation.
Economist Azar Jammine said the government wanted to see itself as a leader in Africa and would try to impress prospective investors but the global damage to investor confidence caused by political uncertainty and the expression of anti-business sentiments by high-profile politicians and others was enormous.
"This is really not going to be making a huge impact on the economy, although it seems they are trying to resuscitate confidence," said Jammine.
A number of fringe events will take place around Durban, including the launch of the Oxfam report "Starting with People: A Human Economy Approach to Inclusive Growth in Africa".
The report is a response to Africa's inequality crisis, persistent poverty and troubling economic prospects.
"The report explores the potential of the economy to achieve inclusive growth, focusing first and foremost on what works for people," said Oxfam spokesmanIsaac Mangena.
Police said yesterday that security for the forum would be tight because a number of NGOs and community organisations were expected to protest.
"Any criminal or disruptive conduct will result in action being taken, including arrest and prosecution," said police spokesman Vishnu Naidoo.
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