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 Sustainable Development (ICGSD) 2026.

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 expected better growth trend confirms that a modest economic recovery is indeed underway.

Today marks the opening of proposal presentations for the inaugural cohort of the PhD Hub for Africa, an ambitious pilot initiative of the North-West University (NWU) Business School to reimagine doctoral education for the continent.

Over two days, Friday, 28 November and Monday, 1 December 2025, 24 doctoral candidates will present their research proposals as the culmination of a four-month Bridging Phase. Those who meet the academic requirements will proceed to full enrolment in the PhD in Business Administration programme in 2026.

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 favourable financial developments. It created the space to further ease borrowing costs for business and consumers, which he says is encouraging.

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.

The widely expected decision by Standard & Poor’s to upgrade South Africa’s investment rating for the first time in nearly two decades is welcome news for the economy.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the NWU Business School, in commenting on the decision by global agency Standard & Poor’s to upgrade South Africa’s credit rating, says it recognises the extent to which certain recent positive economic developments have improved South Africa’s fiscal position and growth outlook, which has strengthened investment sentiment.

The broad economic and fiscal strategies outlined in the 2025 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) are realistic and credible given South Africa’s challenging economic context.

In commenting on the 2025 MTBPS that Finance Minister Enoch Godwanga presented to Parliament on 12 November, Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, believes it represents a visible turning point in advancing the priorities of a stable, growing, competitive and inclusive economy.