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/ 12 May 2008

Give the poorest proper acces

The world is becoming increasingly unequal with 10% of the world’s population now owning 85% of the wealth. South Africa is one of the biggest contributors to world inequality with a growing gap between haves and have-nots. The social grant system was introduced in an attempt to narrow this gap but it exacerbates it by supporting those who live in and around urban areas.

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/ 29 January 2008

Should we fix bread prices?

Following the bread price-fixing scandal at the end of last year and the further recent increases by the large bread producers, there have been several calls for government to intervene in the market for bread. The argument against government intervention is that it distorts the market allocation of goods and services. When a good is in short supply, buyers bid up the price.

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/ 8 March 2007

A rock and a hard place

Scores of teachers who work far away from their homes are faced with the difficult dilemma of having to choose between keeping their jobs and being able to support their families, and quitting their jobs and facing economic ruin. Both are difficult calls to make.