There is enough evidence to suggest that SA, like its global counterparts, is already firmly transforming into a post-fourth industrial revolution (4IR) economy. Some of its prominent industry players have been investing billions in technological innovations and the digital delivery of services to benefit from data analytical capabilities which typically define the 4IR. The question arises how or even whether this affects the wider South African population. The implications of this revolution are significant. They affect the nature and location of economic growth and employment, but also potentially worsen inequality and trigger policy responses, which goes to the heart of what SA needs to be globally competitive. The first obvious implication is that the 4IR has had a profound impact on the creation and concentration of wealth. Look at the stock market to evaluate this. The real return over the past five years on the S&P 500 was 13% a year. However, if you exclude the big tech firm...
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