Higher oil prices can increase the costs of living and doing business, and South Africa’s oil imports will also likely rise in the second half of 2021, but there are a few reasons to remain positive too
It is becoming clear SA needs a BIG, as many ANC cabinet members, opposition parties and experts agree. But there is still dissent from some quarters
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
The finance minister extended the Ters relief and the social distress relief grant, and also ensured businesses hit by looting can access insurance
Analysts agree that economic relief for the poor is needed but are split on whether a grant should be permanent and whether it is affordable
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
The Thursday-night discussion was held a week after riots gripped the nation, renewing calls for a basic income grant
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
Last week’s violence will likely slow South Africa’s economic growth, the central bank’s monetary policy committee said on Thursday afternoon
GDP growth may be encouraging but it doesn’t mean much for SA’s millions of unemployed
The economy is not producing work, with many young adults working outside their fields of study or considering leaving the country as a result
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
The president says his surprise new energy reform plan will address the electricity crisis comprehensively
Lifting the cap on private power generation is aimed at ‘easing Eskom pressure’. Producers won’t need a Nersa licence, but still require other permits
There is ample evidence that trickle-down economics do not work
The government and stakeholders will have to work harder to ensure the industry adapts and thrives
The economy is still 2.7% smaller than it was in the first quarter of 2020
Countries with the biggest industrialised economies could see an average loss of 8.5% of economic value by 2050, according to an Oxfam analysis
Reserve Bank stands at the ready to act if the rise in inflation threatens to become permanent
These key indicators have been buoyed by a trade surplus and commodities boom, but will this lead to economic growth?
Low interest rates usually encourage spending, but uncertainty created by the pandemic has driven people to save their cash in hard times
South Africa is behind others on e-mobility policy. But it’s not too late
The state should focus on the stewardship of the ocean and sustainable use of its resources for economic growth and long-term jobs rather than on the fossil fuel industry
The IMF and World Bank should use the crisis to divert cash to Global South countries to ease the effects of climate change
Buying local sugar allows black farmers to sustain their own families and others
The South African Reserve Bank cautioned that if it was not for load-shedding, the country’s economy could have been stronger
But the country’s GDP growth in the fourth quarter of last year shows positive signs of recovery, at 6.3%
The finance minister has said it’s not an austerity project. But the numbers and economists disagree
The banking sector will be in a vulnerable position if the national treasury does not stabilise its debt
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
The treasury forecasts 3.3% growth, but warns this will fall to 1.6% if the fledgeling vaccination programme fails to stem successive Covid waves
Experts offer their advice about what Finance Minister Tito Mboweni should focus on in next week’s budget speech
The Covid-19 relief grant helped millions of South Africans, but it ended in January. The M&G spoke to unemployed youth who found the money helpful
The South African Reserve Bank’s MPC has decided to keep the repo rate unchanged, at 3.5%, to let the actions it took last year trickle down into the economy
2020 was a challenging year for everybody, with no growth forecast in the economy, fears of a deep recession and a jobs bloodbath. Three experts contextualise this situation, focusing on what can be done in 2021 to slow down the spiral into an economic abyss
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.