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

The negative unemployment figures for the first quarter of 2026 are another early warning signal of the shock that the global energy crisis is beginning to have on the South African economy and jobs.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says that while the economy has some resilience and economic buffers, these buffers are limited and partial, with – for now – little room to extend them.

In the shadow of state capture, pervasive corruption, and eroding public trust, a vital line of defence remains: investigative journalism. In a recent panel discussion titled “Investigative Journalism in Defence of Democracy,” facilitated by the NWU Business School, columnist and analyst Khaya Sithole moderated a conversation with journalists Pauli van Wyk from Investec, Kyle Cowan from Media24, and Sikonathi Mantshantsha from News24 to unpack the difficult realities of holding power to account in South Africa.

The magnitude of the global energy price shock to the economy makes an extension of the partial petrol and diesel relief to further mitigate the impact of negative global developments inevitable and desirable. 

The slight rise in the March headline inflation was expected at this stage. Core inflation increased from 3,0% to 3,2%.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the full impact of the global oil price shock, together with the higher fuel and Road Accident Fund levies, adjusted carbon taxes and higher Eskom tariffs implemented on 1 April will only be seen in subsequent months.

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

As was expected, in the light of the prevailing elevated global economic uncertainties, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has again left interest rates unchanged for now.

Prof. Raymond Parsons, economist from the North-West University (NWU) Business School, says the decision on 26 March is an inevitable further pause in the recent interest rate-easing cycle of the SARB.