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Sarah Smit
Sarah Smit is a general news reporter at the Mail & Guardian. She covers topics relating to labour, corruption and the law.
Battle over GNU positions distracts from policy debate
The political transition is a good opportunity for greater transparency about how the government shapes the economy
Economic reforms still a priority amid GNU uncertainty
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Operation Vulindlela is forging ahead with its next phase amid ongoing wrangling over positions in his executive
Gauteng GNU could get SA’s economic engine revving
The province’s economy has struggled amid infrastructure and governance failures
Inflation holds firm in May
Still-sticky inflation could further delay long-awaited interest rate cuts
As the ANC loses its grip on power, its alliance members may be tempted to fill the gap they helped create
Building a leftist party to contest future elections will require exorcising existing organisations of their Stalinism — or creating something from a much smaller base
Government of national unity: Political shift tests Cosatu’s influence
The labour movement helped end apartheid and usher in Mandela’s coalition government. Its currently diminished position is cause for anxiety as the ANC forges new political…
Will the ANC’s government of national unity 2.0 drive change?
The coalition faces the task of implementing long-promised transformations while managing political contradictions
Eskom’s decision to keep coal plants running until 2030 could cost R90 billion
The Presidential Climate Commission has warned that South Africa risks missing emission target deadlines amid postponed coal phaseout
ANC weighs up doomsday scenarios as economy falters
As coalition discussions intensify, the party could end up making significant policy concessions to navigate South Africa’s uncertain future This content is restricted to…
Financial system coped with pre-election jitters, but risks remain
The Financial Stability Review highlights resilience, but warns of geopolitical risks and high government debt exposure This content is restricted to registered users and…
Fitch raises red flags over ANC coalition with MK party, EFF
Earlier this year, the ratings agency warned that a significant increase in the government’s debt-to-GDP ratio could knock its credit rating
South African election exposes the pitfalls of neoliberalism
Populist parties have made considerable gains in the wake of the government’s insecurity-inducing economic policies
GDP data: SA’s economy contracts in first quarter of 2024
The economy did not benefit from the suspended load-shedding initiated in early April
African leaders repeat calls for financing reform
Heads of state met at the African Development Bank’s gathering this week, where they mulled an overhaul of the world’s financial architecture
Development Bank backs African credit ratings agency
The Big Three ratings agencies, Moody’s, S&P Global and Fitch, have extensive influence over how creditors assess Africa’s risk profile