Roman Grynberg
latest news & developmentsPearls of wisdom hide ugly truths
A study of pink plastic pearls shows that Africa will have to make big sacrifices if its children are to be employed
Region fails to cut it in diamonds
Namibia, Botswana and South Africa did little to halt the collapse of the beneficiation industry.
The curse of cars going cheap
Africans are snapping up cheap, second-hand cars but the Southern African region pays dearly for this.
Customs union inhibits development
South Africa’s neighbours are dependent on the union’s short-sighted revenue-sharing formula.
The IMF loves, but labour’s still lost
An unusual internal report links shrinking union power to growing inequality – but don’t be fooled.
Reel in Botswana’s wild west
Fishing licences for locals and the influx of traders from Zambia and the DRC should be controlled, writes Roman Grynberg.
Africa’s diamantaires in the rough
Low productivity and the concomitant costs are harming the local beneficiation industry.
Diamond trade bleeds the poor
Corruption in the chain artificially raises prices, plumping the pockets of the already rich.
Sweet taste of success for beer exporter
With government help, a Namibian brewery is leaving its Botswana competitor thirsty.
IMF: The making of inequality
What is truly scary about the IMF’s income distribution figures, is that Botswana now has a more unequal distribution of income than South Africa.
Indian liberalisation worth buying
Two weeks ago Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took a political gamble in opening the country’s retail sector to international competition.
Iron ore find rekindles railway need
If the high-grade deposit in Botswana is verified, the trans-Kalahari rail link could become a reality, writes Roman Grynberg.
A question of business cost
According to the 2012-2013 report, the world’s most competitive country is, believe it or not, Switzerland. Huh, you shrug, Switzerland?
SA plays power games with coal
President Jacob Zuma signed a bilateral energy agreement with Botswana President Ian Khama on August 31 to buy coal from that country.
Grain price squeezes Botswana
Not a soul who goes to the supermarket will have failed to notice the rapid rate of price increases of almost all foods in the past 18 months.