Public seminar by Norman Manoim and Competition and Economic Regulation for Inclusive Growth in Southern Africa book launch

24 October 2019, 18:00-19:30

Venue: Chalsty Teaching and Conference Centre, Law School Building, West Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

The new Competition Amendment Act, which comes into force on the 20th anniversary of the Competition Act, has changed the face of traditional competition law in South Africa in several ways. The Amendment Act includes a more explicit focus on inclusion, particularly of black owned businesses and SMEs, it specifically aims to address the buying and selling power of dominant firms, and it empowers the authorities, through market inquiries, with powers to break up firms if the markets in which they are operating are not functioning competitively, even if the firms have not contravened the law.

Do the recent amendments go far enough to deal with entrenched concentration and barriers to entry, and can they effectively contribute to addressing endemic inequality in South Africa? What can we learn from the record of competition law enforcement in South Africa and the power of the law to improve economic participation for marginalised groups and firms? What role is there for civil society and research in informing the work of competition authorities and realising the objectives of the competition law?

Public Seminar: The Mandela Institute (MI) at the University of Witwatersrand and CCRED at the University of Johannesburg are pleased to invite you to an Open Society Foundation public seminar presented by former Chairperson of the Competition Tribunal of South Africa and Acting Director of MI, Mr. Norman Manoim.

Book Launch: The session will include the launch of the edited volume by Profs Jonathan Klaaren, Simon Roberts and Imraan Valodia, titled Competition and Economic Regulation for Inclusive Growth in Southern Africa (2019, Jacana Publishers), which speaks to the challenges and impacts of competition law and economic regulation throughout Southern Africa.

Complementary copies of the book will be available for seminar attendees!

Date: 24 October 2019, 18:00-19:30, Light refreshments will be served.
Venue: Chalsty Teaching and Conference Centre, Law School Building, West Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Click here for directions)
RSVP: To Julius Nyamwena by 22 October 2019, at juliusn@uj.ac.za