The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Political Settlement in South Africa’s Mining Industry

Abstract

Literature on the advent of 4IR has focused on the disruptive features of 4IR for the workplace and the role 4IR will play in enhancing economic growth and productivity. However, less is written about whether and how 4IR technologies may affect and be affected by the existing political settlement, especially in developing countries like South Africa. We investigate whether and how the adoption of technological advancements associated with 4IR would affect (and be affected by) the political settlements in South Africa’s mining industry. We argue that the displacement of workers can shift the balance of power against organised labour and in favour of mining companies. Nonetheless, the impact of 4IR is not predetermined. South Africa’s mining industry is a contested terrain, and the existing
political settlement is likely to influence the process, pace, and extent of adopting 4IR technologies.