NWU Business School
A dialogue for South Africa’s renewal: Lessons from the past, challenges of the present
By Gofaone Motsamai
Thirty years ago, South Africans gathered around negotiation tables to confront a painful history and chart a democratic future. It was a time of uncertainty, but also of hope, as political enemies discovered the power of dialogue to dismantle apartheid and build a Constitution admired across…
Minority MPC view was the better judgement call
As was widely expected, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) decided (by a 4 to 2 vote) on 18 September to again pause its interest rate easing cycle for now.
In commenting on this decision, Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the MPC saw the…
Incipient economic recovery has accelerated
The latest gross domestic product (GDP) figures released by StatsSA on 9 September are much better news on the growth front than we have received for some time.
Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says that, as was broadly expected, the GDP figures for the second quarter of 2025 confirm…
Pitso 2025.5: Operation Vulindlela shows promise despite obstacles
South Africa's bold economic reform initiative, Operation Vulindlela (OV), is gaining momentum as it enters its second phase. Government officials are promoting significant progress in tackling the deep-rooted issues holding back the country’s economy.
The programme focuses on improving key services like electricity, water, transport,…
Aggressive tariff policy creates fragmented world trading system
The 30% tariff decision by the United States is not good news for the South African economy, and its potentially negative economic impact should not be underestimated.
Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says while not unexpected, the decision creates a challenging economic headwind for…
Experts debate the fiscal future of South Africa
A lively panel of experts provided a critical analysis of Minister Enoch Godongwana's Budget address during the Pitso 2025.4 discussion of the North-West University (NWU) Business School. These experts advocated for significant changes to the way South Africa creates and oversees its national budget, calling for transparency and accountability…
Economic recovery needs maximum support to strengthen upturn
The disappointing gross domestic product (GDP) growth figure of 0,1% for the first quarter of 2025, released by StasSA on 3 June, comes as no surprise, as it merely confirms several months of muted high-frequency economic data that pointed to this likely outcome.
Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU)…
Reduction in interest rates can have a significant positive impact
The widely anticipated decision by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to resume its interest rate-easing cycle by reducing rates by another 25 basis points (bps) is the right one.
Prof Raymond Parsons, economist of the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the MPC decision of 29 May is welcome recognition of the changed…
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…