Examining the link between economic development and the enforcement of socio-economic rights in South Africa

Katlego Arnold Mashego ORCID iD & Tshilidzi Knowles Khangala ORCID iD

Issue: Vol. 7 No.7 2026 Article 1 pp. 1762 – 1775
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026771 Published online 10th August 2026

© 2026 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Economic development is a major issue in South Africa, with the country experiencing high levels of poverty, which are connected to the enforcement of socio-economic rights. There have always been calls for Africa to unite for it to prosper. Intra-African trade is a call for Africa to trade more with itself towards its prosperity. It is further said that intra-African trade will enhance sustainable development and economic growth, and it is important. The purpose of the paper is to establish that there is a link between economic development and the enforcement of socio-economic rights. Further, this article argues that there is an urgent need for economic development in South Africa to improve the enforcement of socio-economic rights. Through a qualitative desktop-based methodology, this paper argues that trade is the main factor of economic development. Further, South Africa must focus on intra-African trade. By dealing with this economic gap, South Africa will accelerate sustainable economic development and consequently the enforcement of socio-economic rights, which will in turn reduce poverty and better the lives of millions of South Africans who are in dire need of socio-economic rights to be enforced due to the living conditions they are in. The South African Constitution is examined, and it is noted that it fully protects socio-economic rights as it has socio-economic rights in its Bill of Rights. However, it is acknowledged that there are other factors that affect the enforcement of socio-economic rights, such as corruption and the separation of powers, which are identified.

Keywords: Constitution, Economic Development, Human Rights Obligations, Intra-African Trade, Policy Making, Poverty and Socio-Economic Rights

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Katlego Arnold Mashego is a Lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology and the Manager of the TUT Law Clinic, where he oversees the provision of free legal assistance to indigent and vulnerable community members. He has several years of teaching experience at various institutions of higher learning. He holds a National Diploma in Legal Assistance and a BTech in Business Administration from Tshwane University of Technology, a Certificate in International Business Management from Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences (Germany), a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of South Africa, and a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of the Western Cape. He recently completed a Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree at the University of the Western Cape. He has presented papers at both national and international conferences and has published several journal articles and book chapters.

Tshilidzi Knowles Khangala is a Lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology, an admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, and a member of the TUT Law Clinic. He has more than 15 years of teaching experience at various institutions of higher learning. He previously served as a Deputy Director in the Gauteng Department of Education for six years. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Venda and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration from the University of South Africa. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree at the University of the Western Cape. He has presented papers at both national and international conferences and has published more than 10 journal articles and six book chapters.

Mashego, Katlego Arnold, and Tshilidzi Knowles Khangala. “Examining the link between economic development and the enforcement of socio-economic rights in South Africa.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 7, no.7 (2026): 1762 – 1775 https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026771

© 2026 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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