EMS

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: what does it hold for South African consumers?

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has sent shockwaves across the globe, causing significant uncertainty in global markets.

Although geographically far removed from these warring countries, the modern era of globalisation and fierce integration of markets through trade and financial flows means that South Africans will possibly feel the effect on their pockets.

Submitted on Mon, 03/28/2022 - 13:26

Influence of supply-side shocks on prices needs appropriate response from monetary policy

“Given the overall balance of economic risks currently facing South Africa, the judgement of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) that a 25 basis-point rise should suffice for now is right, although the tone and language of the MPC statement was distinctly hawkish.”

Submitted on Fri, 03/25/2022 - 12:34

Economic growth is a welcome rebound

South Africa’s economic growth of 1,2% in the fourth quarter of 2021 has yielded an overall positive gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 4,9% in 2021, which is a welcome rebound in the economy after the devastating -6,4% growth in 2020.

According to Prof Raymond Parsons, economist from the Business School of the North-West University (NWU), half the sectors in the economy, especially mining and agriculture, made positive contributions to the economic recovery in the final quarter of the year.

Submitted on Wed, 03/09/2022 - 10:13

Taking expertise to our people

The North-West University Business School held their first face-to-face Think Tank in front of a live audience in Somerset West where the Minister of Finance’s national budget speech was analysed and unpacked by a panel of experts.

This initiative forms part of a series of roadshows that the school has in the pipeline for 2022. More 150 people attended the event in person, and 160 people also attended online.

The panel of experts included the likes of:

Submitted on Fri, 03/04/2022 - 09:05

SONA 2022: Switching gears towards economic reconstruction and recovery?

On 10 February 2022 President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his sixth State of the Nation Address (SONA) since he took office in 2018. This was a highly anticipated address, and it is aimed at informing the general public and all relevant stakeholders on the government’s progress in the year that has passed, while detailing the plans and directives for the year ahead.

Submitted on Wed, 02/23/2022 - 10:14