Pitso Webinar: Experts ask whether the budget will pass

The Business School at the North-West University (NWU)’s second Pitso online seminar brought together economic experts to examine South Africa’s current financial situation. The discussion, titled Budgeting for Austerity, featured analyst and columnist Khaya Sithole, who moderated the webinar; independent economist Elize Kruger; and Sanisha…

Budget seeks balance between fiscal sustainability and economic growth

The revised Budget statement presented to Parliament by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on 12 March, proposing a new fiscal mix of spending, borrowing and taxing as a response to the previous opposition to the 2% rise in VAT proposed in the original Budget, diverges to some extent from the parameters outlined in the original Budget.

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NWU Business School launches PhD Hub for Africa

The North-West University (NWU) Business School has established a formidable foundation and inaugurated the PhD Hub for Africa, a pioneering initiative aimed at nurturing doctoral talent and enhancing supervisory expertise throughout the continent. The PhD Hub was officially launched on Monday, 10 March 2025, during the International Conference…

GNU Budget should support growth-enhancing measures

The fourth quarter (4Q) gross domestic product (GDP) growth figures that were released on 4 March are positive, but the mild recovery in the GDP in the 4Q of 2024 again confirms that the Government of National Unity (GNU) is right to have set much higher inclusive growth and stronger job creation as South Africa’s key…

Postponement of Budget will have unintended consequences

The unprecedented decision by the Government of National Unity (GNU) Cabinet to postpone the Budget until 12 March because of disagreement over tax increases will inevitably have unintended consequences for South Africa’s political economy.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the NWU Business School, says if the eventual Budget in…

South Africa needs to respond urgently and make the economy as “Trump-proof” as possible

“We should not underestimate what may ultimately be at stake for the South African economy and business in the face of the current sharp breach in bilateral political and diplomatic relationships between the United States (US) and South Africa.”

In commenting about the latest tensions in the US-South Africa political and economic…

Business School’s Pitso discussion analyses SONA 2025

“We won’t be bullied.” These words by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in response to US president Donald Trump’s verbal attacks on South Africa grabbed headlines, but SONA 2025 had much more to unpack than that.

On Friday, 7 February, the North-West University (NWU) Business School hosted its…

Achievement of SONA targets will depend on faster implementation of growth-friendly policies

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s wide-ranging State of the Nation Address (SONA) agenda that confirms the tangible commitment of the Government of National Unity (GNU) to faster and higher job-rich growth is positive.

In commenting on the SONA, which was delivered on 7 February, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist of the NWU Business School,…

Electricity tariff increase will inevitably cause the cost of doing business to rise

Although it is still painful for business and consumers, the decision by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to allow a much lower increase of 12,7% in Eskom tariffs, instead of the 36% previously sought by Eskom, is a significant outcome.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business…

Better inflation figures gradually translate into lower interest rates

The better news on the inflation front is gradually being translated into lower interest rates, thus modestly easing borrowing costs for businesses and consumers. At its latest meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) again – by a four to two vote – cut interest rates by another 25 basis points (bps).

In commenting on the latest…