I would speculate that most of what SA exports is heavily subsidized and unprofitable. Dates flourish in the Arabian desert around an oasis. Where are they gett

I would speculate that most of what SA exports is heavily subsidized and unprofitable. Dates flourish in the Arabian desert around an oasis. Where are they getting the water for the dates and water for milch for dairy, ...? Probably desalination plants run on Oil. I am sure they can keep doing this but this is not a natural extension of any of their strengths. Their labor is over priced and mostly imported south asians, overburdened by heavy bureaucracy and lacking in the inputs of production. Would you open a dairy farm in Namibia? If they really have to tighten their belts they will have to cut down on all these "extra-curricular" economic activities.