A Historical Critical Analysis of Weberianism in Ethnic Entrepreneurship in South Africa: An Essay

Abstract

This paper interrogated Weberianism and how this ideology was adopted by the architects of apartheid to engineer a race-based economic system in South Africa. The paper used desktop method to collect qualitative literature. Historical Critical Analysis (HCA) theory was adopted for the study. A few successful Black entrepreneurs were handpicked to demonstrate entrepreneurial abilities of Black people who conquered multiple challenges and complexities to establish successful enterprises. The finding refuted Weber's views and Weberian-apartheid assertions about Black capabilities on entrepreneurship. It was evident following the historical critical analysis that exclusion of Blacks from mainstream entrepreneurship was informed by a long time held belief of Weberian thought patterns. It is recommended that the post-apartheid state should prioritise fast-tracking the empowerment of Black entrepreneurs so as to integrate them in mainstream entrepreneurial system. Further research on Black entrepreneurship should seek to focus on the strategies used by successful Black entrepreneurs who conquered apartheid for their successes