The threat of new tariffs remains real

The decision by the United States (US) Supreme Court that President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are illegal is a welcome respite for many countries, including South Africa, who have had to grapple with an aggressive US tariff policy in recent times.

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

The labour market as a lagging indicator of political settlement

By Prof. Joseph Sekhampu, chief director of the NWU Business School.

Every society organises its economy around a set of implicit bargains about power, access, and reward. Those bargains determine who enters markets easily, who must navigate layers of permission, who receives protection, and who absorbs risk.…

Outcome of SONA depends on commitment to implement plans

In the usual wide-ranging State of the Nation Address (SONA) President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised the extent to which South Africa is now at a turning point and needs to capitalise on recent positive developments to build a much bigger, stronger and better economy.

In commenting on the SONA of 12 February, Prof. Raymond Parsons,…

State of the Nation in the Age of Private Substitution

By Prof Joseph Sekhampu, chief director of the NWU Business School

Imagine a state-of-the-nation address delivered without triumph or ceremony. The President rises, not to announce renewal, but to offer thanks. He thanks the households for installing solar panels that kept the…

Lower borrowing costs are still likely

The 4 to 2 majority decision by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on 29 January to pause its interest rate easing cycle and leave the repo rate unchanged for now was widely expected.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the MPC majority view provided a plausible case as to why it…

The Future of BEE in a Changing South Africa

Prof. Joseph Sekhampu

The debate over BEE has entered a familiar but increasingly brittle phase. One side argues that, more than thirty years into democracy, empowerment has overstayed its welcome and should be scrapped. The other insists that…

African Universities unite to shape a sustainable future at 2026 Conference

When communities across Africa face droughts, floods, and shifting climates, the solutions often begin in the minds of innovators, researchers, and leaders who are committed to a more sustainable future. In March 2026, these changemakers will gather at the Protea Hotel in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, for the International Conference on Green and…

Modest economic recovery is indeed underway

It is welcome news that in the third quarter of 2025, the economy showed its fourth consecutive rise in economic activity, albeit off a low base.

In commenting on the 0,5% rise in the third quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth, Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says this…

Monetary policy needs to be supportive of the incipient economic upturn

The unanimous decision by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to cut interest rates by another 25 basis points (bps) was the right one.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist at the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the MPC decision of 20 November is the result of a number of recent…

Analysts welcome fiscal prudence but warn of short-term costs

Economists and policy experts attending the North-West University (NWU) Business School Pitso on the 2025 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) commended the disciplined fiscal stance and renewed transparency of the government, but cautioned that the benefits of the new inflation target and spending reforms will take time to materialise…