NWU Business School

Latest MTBPS outlines a new sense of economic direction

Given the fine budgetary line that still had to be walked by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, the first Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) of the Government of National Unity (GNU) comes across as a pragmatic, realistic and credible strategy to tackle South Africa’s challenges of low economic growth and high public debt again.

NWU Business School launches Advanced Leadership for Women short learning programme in partnership with the LGSETA

The North-West University (NWU) Business School is proud to announce the launch of a new cohort for its Short Learning Programme on Advanced Leadership for Women, aimed at empowering women in leadership roles across municipalities in South Africa. This initiative is supported and funded by the Local…

Tito Mboweni leaves a tangible economic legacy

“Tito Mboweni was a formidable leader, with deep economic insights that greatly shaped South Africa’s post-apartheid policies and structures, such as the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), labour law and Nedlac.”

Reacting to the death of former Finance Minister and SARB Governor Tito Mboweni, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the…

More interest rate reductions likely if inflation outlook continues to improve

The widely expected pivot for the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to now commence its interest rate cutting cycle by a modest 25 basis points (bps) is good news for business and consumers.

In commenting on the decision by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on 19 September Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the Business school of…

GNU should expedite key growth-friendly reforms for better GDP figures

“After the revised zero growth (0,0%) in the first quarter of 2024, the better news is that real gross domestic product (GDP) in South Africa grew by a modest 0,4% in the second quarter of 2024.”

In commenting on the second-quarter GDP figures that Statistics SA released on 3 September, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the NWU…

North West Premier appoints two esteemed professors in his new advisory council

North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi has appointed Prof Raymond Parsons and Prof Mokgadi Molope from the North-West University (NWU) as members of the provincial Economic and Investment Advisory Council (EIAC). The announcement comes at a critical period in the developmental trajectory of the province, with the…

CPI figures set the table for lower interest rates

Much better news on the inflation front has continued to emerge with the July statistics, with a significant drop in the inflation rate from the June level.  

Prof Raymond Parsons, economist…

Disappointing unemployment figures reinforce urgency for higher, job-rich growth

Not unexpectedly, the latest unemployment figures for the second quarter of 2024 rose to 33,5% against the background of previous weak economic data that negatively influenced job creation.

In commenting on the release of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2024 by Statistics SA, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist…

Growth prospects will strengthen if policy uncertainty recedes

Not unexpectedly, for the seventh time, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) decided by a four to two majority vote (as opposed to a unanimous decision in May) to again keep interest rates unchanged for now.

In commenting on this decision of 18 July, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-…

Is our future political economy fit for purpose?

The North-West University (NWU) Business School held a think tank on Monday, 8 July, titled SA’s future economy – is it fit for purpose? Prof Piet Croucamp, political analyst and affiliate of the NWU Business School, served as moderator and the panellists comprised Prof Raymond Parsons, Wandile Sihlobo and Christo van der Rheede.

Van…