Latest Budget provides foundation for building fiscal sustainability

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s revised third Budget is a pragmatic one, given the current circumstances.

This is the view of Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School. In commenting on the third Budget presented to Parliament on 21 May, Prof Parsons says that, as was stressed by the…

Unemployment level raises red flag about weak growth performance

The 1% rise in the unemployment level in the first quarter of 2025 raises another red flag about South Africa’s weak growth performance.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says with the gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecasts for 2025 having been progressively reduced by various…

No increase in VAT is the right decision

The decision by the National Treasury not to increase value-added tax (VAT) on 1 May is the right one in the current circumstances.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says after an intensive debate a rise in VAT was eventually seen to be unnecessary, and economically and politically it…

Predicted growth not good enough for South Africa

The bad news from the latest assessment by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of the impact of trade wars and policy uncertainty on the world economy is not unexpected. It nonetheless highlights the extent of the economic damage anticipated by recent unbridled United States of America (US) protectionism and its wider consequences.

In…

African economies should adapt to global challenges amid US-China tariff wars

In a timely Pitso webinar hosted on Friday, 11 April, the North-West University (NWU) Business School featured distinguished panellists who discussed the vulnerable status of African economies caught in the crossfire of escalating international tariff wars. As countries on the continent compete for both economic sovereignty and competitive…

Trump’s decision creates a window for negotiations

The unexpected decision by President Donald Trump to suspend the reciprocal United States (US) tariffs on non-retaliatory countries for 90 days pending further negotiations has prompted a strong rebound in financial markets and a modification of previous gloomy economic forecasts.

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West…

High policy uncertainty levels reason for unchanged interest rates

The decision by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to leave the repo rate unchanged highlights the role of non-model-based judgement in policy choices, especially in current uncertain circumstances.

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

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…