South Africa is considering a shift toward privately owned special economic zones (SEZs) as a way to counter deindustrialisation, according to reports referencing World Bank guidance. The proposal is framed as an effort to revive the SEZ concept, which has been widely viewed as underperforming or failing to deliver the intended industrial and investment outcomes in the country. The coverage indicates the government is looking at restructuring how SEZs are developed and managed, including the role of private ownership, with the aim of improving performance and effectiveness. The reporting aligns on the central context: the move follows recommendations attributed to the World Bank, and it seeks to address concerns about the effectiveness of existing or previous SEZ initiatives. Overall, the information suggests South Africa is exploring policy and implementation changes rather than abandoning the SEZ model entirely, focusing on governance and delivery mechanisms to improve industrial outcomes.