NEPAD is a policy aimed at addressing African poverty and marginalisation that was adopted by the Organisation of African Unity, the precursor of the African Union, in 2001. On paper, its principles and objectives are impeccable: good governance, growth, poverty reduction and women’s empowerment, among others – all with a view to giving the continent its share of the global economic pie.

Nonetheless, "NEPAD represents the codification of the expansion of imperialism from South Africa," said Eddie Cottle, education co-ordinator for Jubilee South Africa, at a discussion about a new booklet from the organisation, entitled NEPAD and South African Imperialism.

The booklet, to be launched in South Africa next month, says that local business interests managed the country's transition to democracy to their advantage – and that the proof lay in the adoption of a key economic programme, the 'Growth, Employment and Redistribution' policy.

"As is well known, the substance of the policy consists of the standard menu of neoliberal items propagated by the International Monetary Fund…and the World Bank," notes the booklet.

With the end of apartheid having opened the door to greater South African investments in the continent, a business-friendly Africa also became an attractive proposition.

"Through NEPAD, the South African state is facilitating the privatisation of state-owned assets, deregulation of various markets and the intensification of exploitation on the continent," says NEPAD and South African Imperialism.

Central to this process, added Cottle, is the close relationship that has been forged between the government and labour in South Africa – one that has seen key members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) take up lucrative positions in the private sector.

Jubilee also has fears about the impact of South African investments in Africa.

According to NEPAD and South African Imperialism, South African entrepreneurs put their money into existing firms rather than new ventures – something that often leads to job losses in the name of rationalisation. The report quotes economist Asghar Adelzadeh as saying that while "mergers and acquisitions bring the possible benefits of improved productivity…they do not on the whole increase productive capacity in the economy. Neither do they typically create jobs."

Elhadj Farouck Tafsir Souhmah, president of the National Council of Guinean Civil Society Organisations, does not see NEPAD as a destructive force – rather, one that needs to be reminded of its social responsibilities.

"I think that NEPAD should organise a meeting with civil society organisations to better explain (itself) – and to enable better negotiation and collaboration," he told TerraViva at the Jubilee presentation.

"Civil society needs to be involved in its (NEPAD's) activities, and to recognise NEPAD as a tool (for development)."

Assuming that one accepts Jubilee's argument, however, the question that begs asking at a World Social Forum is what civil society is doing to alert people to the dangers of NEPAD – and why hasn't it been more vocal on the matter already.

"The notion of NEPAD and a continental programme is a new concept to African civil society, and I think – therefore – it's kind of expected that there would be some time before there is a ‘criterialisation’ of how to act," Cottle told TerraViva.