Economy
latest news & developments
Editorial: Lot more money for the fat cats
As Statistics South Africa reports unemployment climbing to 33.7%, President Cyril Ramaphosa has sparked outrage by approving pay hikes of up to 4% for public office-bearers and…
With Youth Unemployment at 47%, South Africa Cannot Afford to Delay the Skills Revolution
With youth unemployment standing at a staggering 47.3%, South Africa's Skills Revolution seeks to bridge the gap between education and the labour market through targeted…
Cosatu decries public office-bearers’ salary increases as excessive
President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved salary increases of up to 4% for politicians, traditional leaders, and judges, drawing sharp criticism from trade union federation Cosatu.
Festive season - time to tighten the belt
As festive shopping kicks off across South Africa, the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group urges consumers to budget carefully amid rising food prices and…
Third-quarter job gains fail to stem rising unemployment
Despite adding 101,000 jobs in the third quarter, South Africa's official unemployment rate climbed to 33.7%, leaving more than 13 million people unemployed or outside the active…
President Ramaphosa approves salary increases for fat cats in public office
President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved salary increases between 3.5% and 4% for government officials, lawmakers, and members of the judiciary despite growing economic challenges.
Joblessness rises to 33, 7%
South Africa’s official unemployment rate edged up to 33.7% in the third quarter of 2026 as labour force growth outpaced new jobs, leaving 8.6 million people actively seeking work.
The Twin Fault Lines: How Broken Escalators and Spatial Traps Are Redefining Unrest in Europe and South Africa
Despite differing wealth and history, Europe and South Africa share deep socio-economic strains, from unaffordable housing to youth disenfranchisement, creating opportunities for…
IEC Declares 2026 local elections ‘free and fair’ as SA enters coalition era
Following the IEC's declaration of the 2026 local government elections as free and fair, economists and political analysts weigh in on what the shift toward municipal coalitions…
The culture of mediocrity ends
An analysis of widespread municipal underperformance in South Africa reveals deep systemic failures in capital budget spending, infrastructure maintenance, and governance,…
Who pays for South Africa’s Agoa standoff?
As the US plans to terminate South Africa's Agoa eligibility by 2027, the real threat to businesses is not just losing trade preferences, but the crippling uncertainty while…
The AGOA hit will be small on GDP but heavy on jobs
The Trump administration's plan to terminate South Africa's eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act by 2027 threatens key export sectors, employment, and bilateral…
End of Agoa: No doom and gloom
Economists suggest the US decision to remove South Africa from the duty-free benefits of Agoa is not catastrophic, urging the country to diversify exports, while labour…
Drop in fuel price
South African motorists will experience financial relief at the pumps as petrol and diesel prices decrease, supported by government adjustments to the general fuel levy.
SA challenges Trump’s AGOA decision
South Africa has accused Washington of shifting the goalposts in trade negotiations after US President Donald Trump notified Pretoria of his intention to end its preferential…