• South Africa’s growing scrutiny of foreign academics may deliver quicker gains in representation while weakening the expertise needed to develop the country’s next generation of scholars.

The negative gross domestic product (GDP) growth figures of -0,2% for the second quarter of 2026 confirm the bad knock the South African economy – together with many other economies – took as a result of the recent global energy shock. StatsSA released the latest figures on 8 September.

Labour-market figures draw attention to a much larger group of women who are less visible in the transformation debate: those who have not entered sustained employment at all.

The better-than-expected July figure for the consumer price index (CPI) is good news on the inflation front for business and consumers and helps to stabilise medium-term expectations.

In commenting on the CPI figures for July, Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the consensus view among analysts has been that, although the global energy crisis would mean a temporary surge in headline inflation earlier in 2026, the effects would gradually dissipate later in the year.

• Millions of young South Africans will vote in November without ever having held stable employment. 

• Persistent unemployment is delaying the point at which an entire generation can become economically independent. 

"The real divide in South African politics may no longer be between left and right, liberation and opposition, or even government and opposition. It may increasingly be between those who continue searching for political enemies and those prepared to confront structural constraints that have no face, no party and no obvious villain."

Academic excellence, resilience and visionary leadership took centre stage as the North-West University (NWU) Business School recently honoured its MBA and PhD graduates at an elegant Black & White Soirée held at the picturesque Feather Hill Boutique Hotel in Potchefstroom.

South Africa's higher education system continues to expand at a time when the economy into which it feeds remains largely unchanged. Universities are expected to serve as engines of social mobility, offering individuals a path out of poverty and into the middle class.

As was expected, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) raised interest rates by 25 basis points on 28 May.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the 4 to 2 vote was a preventative step against future inflation in the economy.

• The South African government is becoming trapped within layers of accumulated complexity.
• The government therefore appears simultaneously hyper-present and absent.
• Complex systems create discretion and discretion creates power.
• Economic success becomes tied less to productive capability and more to proximity to administrative systems.
• The crisis no longer lies in the absence of rules or oversight, but in the growing burden of managing complexity itself