This article traces the changes in the actions of the South African government and its policy discourses, with particular focus on the post-1994 period. The article highlights the changing balance, over time, between state and market principles and how these market principles impact on state enterprises, in their call for reform in order to be effective and efficient in the management of their enterprises, and in improving economic growth. Particular attention is paid to the privatisation process of South African state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that are responsible for providing quality goods and services to individuals, the government and private sector, and to the non-government organisations in the country. Furthermore, the political evolution that led to the adoption of free market principles by the present government is briefly discussed. The argument is that without these political developments and vacillations in the ANC, the c