David Kaplan, who died in Paris this month aged 77, was an academic and economic historian who had a clear understanding of the connection between economics and politics. He also had many outside interests, a fund of good stories and jokes, and a compassion for people, especially their children. Kaplan did not patronise the youth and was a sincere listener to their and others’ opinions, which attracted people and made him a committed teacher.
“No question was too stupid. No topic was too big or too complicated ... even topics that neither of us knew anything about,” recalls a friend and colleague.
These attributes made him the engaged academic he was known as, specialising in industrial policy, business-government relations and economic development. He served as chief economist for South Africa’s department of trade & industry from 2000 to 2003 and later as part-time chief economist for the Western Cape’s department of economic development & tourism until 2011. He advised international organisations, among these the World Bank, the African Development Bank and UN agencies, on African industrialisation and innovation.
To those who were close friends and colleagues, Kaplan was also a mensch
At the University of Cape Town, he held professorships in economics and business-government relations, contributing to policy research units and science-technology initiatives.
So much for the academic side. He didn’t want to be an F1 driver or an opening batsman (two of his interests); to those who were close friends and colleagues, Kaplan was also a mensch. And when he moved to Paris to support his wife, Jenny, in her career, he found a place that celebrated intellectuals, of which he certainly was one. He even bought into the city’s style: beret on the head, baguette under the arm, returning from some cheese shopping.
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