News

[Opinion] The Transnet imperative

Of all the vertically and horizontally integrated freight and ports companies that have existed in the world, Transnet is the last remaining of its kind. While there have been talks and nominal moves towards breaking up at least parts of Transnet’s various operations and introducing private sector investment and competition, these have not yet been made a reality.

[Opinion] Not in SA’s favour to pull up the drawbridge

Should US president-elect Donald Trump’s new administration succeed in implementing a raft of higher tariffs on imports, and generally place the US on a more protectionist trade and economic footing, developing economies such as SA will need to weather higher prices, more restricted and hobbled global trade flows, and the effects of a stronger dollar.

[Opinion] Why Kganyago’s stingy rate cut was exactly right

The Reserve Bank barely moved last week, cutting interest rates by just 25 basis points. Analysts have rounded on governor Lesetja Kganyago for being too coy – but it was exactly the tonic.

[Audio] SWAPO faces it's toughest test as Namibia heads for crucial elections

Voters in Namibia will go to the polls on WEDNESDAY (27 November) to choose their next president and parliamentary representatives. The elections come after President Hage Geingob died in February and was replaced on a interim basis by his deputy, Nangolo Mbumba. The election could mark a historic shift in the country's political landscape if the ruling SWAPO party, in power since independence in 1990, loses control of the presidency or parliament for the first time. The president is directly elected by voters and needs to garner more than 50% of votes to win. Support for SWAPO dropped from 87% in the presidential election in 2014 to 56% in 2019.To look at these crucial elections Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Carika Middelberg, an analyst from the Centre for Risk Analysis

[Letter] GNU central to ANC leadership

The ANC will hold its next leadership conference in 2027, when delegates will deliberate on who to elect to the top positions and the party’s national executive committee (NEC).

[Opinion] Transnet is the economy’s binding constraint

Despite improved electricity stability post-elections in 2024, CHRIS HATTINGH says South Africa’s economic growth remains constrained by inefficient Transnet-run ports and rail infrastructure needing urgent reform.

[Opinion] What the 2024 MTBPS reveals about the GNU’s fiscal trajectory

The recently presented 2024 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana paints a sobering picture of South Africa’s fiscal outlook.

[Opinion] SA not (yet) playing its G20 hand well

When South Africa assumes the presidency of the G20 on 1 December, it gains a position that will afford the country, and the Government of National Unity (GNU), numerous economic, investment, trade, diplomatic, and strategic opportunities.

[Letter] Tough calls ahead

The formation of the government of national unity (GNU) has afforded SA a few months of positive market sentiment, a stronger rand and more positive interest in investment opportunities from international investors.

[Letter] Motor industry needs more than subsidies

Reform of network industries is required for manufacturers to truly benefit from government support

[Letter] Infrastructure investment lags population growth

One of the great challenges facing the government of national unity (GNU) is the declining quality of infrastructure. Finding new sources of funding for investments in, as well as maintenance and building of, infrastructure should be one of government’s top priorities.

[Letter] GNU’s survival despite areas of contention indicates strength

But some issues, such as National Health Insurance, could cause bigger ructions and possibly hard splits

[Opinion] South Africa’s demographic opportunity a key driver to unlocking population potential

South Africa’s young, growing population presents a substantive opportunity for the country’s future; a skilled workforce, a growing middle class with aspirations, and an expectation for satisfactory government and private sector services and offerings.

[Opinion] The GNU at 100

Taking the date on which President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his latest cabinet – 30 June 2024 – 8 October marks 100 days of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

[Opinion] Don’t allow it to be just a sugar high

On 31 August Springboks (and a few All Blacks) fans took newly cleaned PRASA trains from Park Station to Ellis Park stadium (now Emirates Airline Park). The preceding Sunday, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy also took the trip, as part of an initiative to increase awareness of the work being done by PRASA to get its train fleet back up and running. Positive stories of the experience filled social media; the home team rewarded those fans who attended with a 31-27 victory.

[Opinion] Can South Africa seize its construction opportunity?

Both President Cyril Ramaphosa and Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson have expressed their desire to ‘turn South Africa into a construction site.’ To unlock the level of GDP growth rate the country needs – between 4% – 6% per annum – one of the economic sectors to get right is that of construction.

[Opinion] Avoiding the easiest of own goals

According to the National Treasury, South Africa’s GDP growth has averaged 0.8% per year since 2012. As CHRIS HATTINGH reports, most of the major causes behind this severe underperformance are well-documented: electricity shortfalls, onerous bureaucratic systems and inflexible labour markets, corruption from national to municipal levels, and numerous logistics inefficiencies.

[Opinion] Where to for Venezuela?

An economic crisis that began under Hugo Chávez has accelerated under Nicolás Maduro.

[Opinion] AGOA: The renewal signs are positive

THE recent trip by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau, and Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield to the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Washington, DC, US, has turned out quite well.

[Letter] Avoid tariff-subsidies route

The IMF’s July World Economic Outlook highlights the risks posed by “trade tariffs, alongside a scaling up of industrial policies worldwide”, generating “damaging cross‐border spillovers, as well as trigger retaliation, resulting in a costly race to the bottom”.

[Letter] Revisit trade policy

Tariffs run risk of entering ‘tit-for-tat’ territory.

[Letter] NHI undermines security and predictability

Health minister Joe Phaahla recently told South Africans, “medical aid schemes are still there. So keep your medical aid. Everything will be transparent. Please, don’t throw away your medical aid schemes and stop your debit order.”

[Letter] Tempting fate with NHI fund powers

The National Health Insurance (NHI) Act provides for the following (among others): “The [NHI] Fund must determine payment rates annually for healthcare service providers, health establishments and suppliers in the prescribed manner and in accordance with the provisions of this act,” and, “account to the minister on the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers.”