race to the top and the fear of falling

The rapid rise of a growing African middle class is one of the most dramatic transformations of the post-1994 period. Its emergence has long been a cornerstone of African National Congress (ANC) policy - the u0027patriotic bourgeoisieu0027- with its rise being a central feature of former President Mbekiu0027s economic policies. This middle class has long been the focus of considerable political, popular and scholarly interest. Much has long been placed on the shoulders of this newly expanding vibrant and powerful class. A class that is viewed as : central to de-racialising the political economy of apartheid; the driving force in economic growth; key to the ANCu0027s continued power in government (a very senior member of the ANC alliance and government minister presented his PhD on the very question of the patriotic-bourgeoisie); the bulwark against revolutionary threats; and more.