As millions join the unemployment ranks, relying on debt to make ends meet becomes more attractive
State-owned entities have to match society’s expectations with harsh economic realities
In this extract, from the anthology Upshot curated by Lauren Beukes, the author imagines rich people and voters at home deciding on his character’s fate
Government spending has reached a record 41.7% of GDP, and the budget deficit has widened from 5.7% in 2019 to an estimated 14%
Last year, the finance minister noted that increased government spending has failed to promote growth over the past decade
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has the difficult task of kick-starting a stalled economy while also cutting on spending
Experts offer their advice about what Finance Minister Tito Mboweni should focus on in next week’s budget speech
People earning up to R20 000 spend 60% of their salaries paying off arrears, a recent report reveals
The budget for the Wilge Residential Development was R160-million but, when the project stopped, the bill was R840-million
Addressing the Covid-19 health and economic crisis requires international relations based on cooperation, the rule of law, collective action and shared principles
After being praised for their handling of the pandemic, African countries must now confront the economic fallout – even as they grapple with existing political and security challenges
Are RFIs a viable model for aiding Africa’s economic development?
Are RFIs a viable model for aiding Africa’s economic development?
A response to the article ‘Tax the superrich and raise inflation to cut state debt, inequality and poverty’ in the M&G on 10 November
The government must not cave to Eskom’s demand that it be exempt from air pollution rules. Furthermore, the power utility needs to stay true to the principles of its own just transition strategy
The narratives about the African country’s debt crisis are being used as fodder in geopolitical battles
The richest 10% of South Africans own over 85% of all private wealth and a once-off 25% tax would reduce government debt by more than half. Imagine what a five-year wealth tax could do
Data released this week is evidence of the scale of the financial and humanitarian crisis South Africa faces
Heavily indebted, South Africans turn to loan sharks rather than banks for short-term relief, while business resists borrowing from banks due to economic uncertainty
A 10-point plan for streamlining South Africa’s economy
COMMENT: Developing countries face a debt crisis that will only become worse as the Covid-19 pandemic continues, and massive debt relief will inevitably be necessary. The only question is whether it will be designed to address the even larger climate crisis
COMMENT: As the US and China battle for global domination, Africa must stand firm, charting its own course
Amid the headwinds created by the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s time the Aloe ferox, which survives in dry, harsh conditions, is nurtured — but the options are limited
Health, debt and hunger are huge threats to the continent’s stability
A research institution says the government should guarantee small businesses’ debt in order to keep the sector that employs millions of South Africans afloat amid Covid-19
The Coega Development Corporation responds to an M&G article
Eskom gets R69-billion in additional funds for its restructuring plans but no debt relief deal
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni is under pressure to bail out the state power utility Eskom — along with its $30-billion mountain of debt
The department outlined the financial and operational problems facing the utility, which began load-shedding on Monday
Opponents of Rabs say inadequate research and consultation have been done
The utility is labouring under a debt burden of about R420-billion and its cash from operations is not enough to service its interest payments
But critics say shifting liability to the state could have unintended consequences for the economy