SOUTH AFRICA: Another plan – heavy on spending, light on liberalization?
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan makes bold promises around four priority areas – infrastructure development, job creation, energy security and industrialization.It seems heavier on spending than on economic liberalization, which will presen… Become a member to read the rest of this article Username or E-mail Password Remember Me Forgot […]
SOUTH AFRICA: Medium-Term Budget Delay Suggests Chaos Behind the Scenes
Parliament has agreed to a last-minute request from Finance Minister Tito Mboweni to postpone the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) by one week, until 28 October. While the delay is short, it suggests that crucial matters remain unresolved, which may include so… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH AFRICA: A Plan of Plans?
On 15 October, President Cyril Ramaphosa will present an economic recovery plan at a joint sitting of parliament. Ramaphosa has pledged “extraordinary measures” to boost an economy facing a record recession, but the leaked draft plan largely rehashes old ideas around infrastructu… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH AFRICA: State Capture Progress?
The Hawks – the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI) – have denied an Independent Media report suggesting the imminent arrest of ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule, who has long been implicated in ‘state capture’ corruption. The ‘fake news’ comes on the heels of … Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH AFRICA: Lockdown Level 1 loading
This evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa’s pandemic lockdown would be relaxed to “Level 1” from 20 September, fully reopening the economy as well as international borders for the first time since March. With South Africa facing a socio-economic… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH AFRICA: Eskom – the high price of inaction
Power utility Eskom’s “level 4” load-shedding on 2-3 September confirms pervious warnings about the record level of load-shedding that is threatening South Africa’s post-Covid-19 recovery. At the same time, ballooning debt problems will intensify pressure on the government to fi… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH AFRICA: Ramaphosa wins NEC battle, faces divisive anti-corruption war
President Cyril Ramaphosa won a preliminary battle at the ruling ANC’s 28-30 August special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which had to fall in line around his anti-corruption message.But this is a long way from winning the war, not least as the promised corruption … Become a member to read the rest of this […]
SOUTH AFRICA: Eskom power cuts resume even before lockdown is fully lifted
Just as the government prepares to relax South Africa’s lockdown restrictions to “Level 2,” fresh load-shedding illustrates how much Eskom’s generation constraints threaten to dampen the economy’s recovery prospects. On the unbundling front, Eskom CEO André de Ruyter signale… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH AFRICA: Lockdown “Level 2” loading
An improvement in daily new Covid-19 cases and falling deaths for two consecutive weeks are expected to allow the government to ease lockdown restrictions to “Level 2.” President Cyril Ramaphosa could make an announcement to this effect as early as Thursday, 13 August, as the gov… Become a member to read the rest of […]
SOUTH AFRICA: Corrupt to the core?
Together with increasingly incoherent pandemic management, corruption scandals threaten to weaken President Cyril Ramaphosa. They could cost the ANC at the ballot box in 2021, though few established opposition parties are well placed to gain from this; apathy may emerge as… Become a member to read the rest of this article