There is a large gap between what the country is exporting and what it is importing.
Government has been talking up performance, but state-owned enterprises are fettered by politics.
Eskom is at pains to defend its chief executive, Brian Dames, whose contract is rumoured to be up for renewal.
Agricultural unions are urging their members to apply to the labour department for exemptions.
Gordhan says the challenge now is to grow the economy and widen the tax base to raise revenue.
Infrastructure remains the lynchpin of the government’s economic development plans. But government needs to do much better, according to Gordhan.
A tough road lies ahead for SA’s plan to use local expertise in its massive infrastructure programme.
The independent body is expected to address weaknesses in the institution’s technical capacity.
Heavy carbon emitters will pass costs of new tax on to consumers.
There was one clear message emanating from Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s 2013 budget to the government: get with the programme.