Mining sector to ease Eskom's woes
The global business mood is decidedly downbeat and South Africa is no exception. In recent months, most consumers and businesses have...
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Dr. Roelof Botha
- Sep 8
- 3 min
2nd Quarter GDP Data - Confusion Reigns
According to the GDP data for the 2nd quarter of 2022, published this week by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the economy took a hit...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Aug 26
- 3 min
Job creation gathers steam in the 2nd quarter
The 2nd quarter of 2022 managed to replicate the first quarter’s impressive job creation performance by adding another 400,000 new formal...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Aug 11
- 3 min
Rise in building construction activity
The first five months of the year witnessed a remarkable improvement in the value of buildings completed in the metros and larger...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Jul 29
- 3 min
Freight costs to blame for inflation spike
Ever since global inflation started heading north at an alarming rate, much of the conventional wisdom surrounding the causes of this...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Jul 15
- 3 min
Consumers under pressure, but economy still growing
Consumer sentiment around the globe has been dealt a blow by the sharp increase in price levels, particularly fuel and some food...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Jul 5
- 3 min
Balance of payments in good shape
Ever since the recovery from the worst of the Covid-pandemic began in 2020, South Africa’s international trade has blossomed, with the...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Jun 21
- 3 min
Welcome recovery of tourism
Few, if any, mainstream economic sectors were hit as hard by Covid-induced restrictions than the global hospitality sector. Fortunately,...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Jun 7
- 3 min
Employment growth promises a bonus for SARS
A total of more than 400,000 new formal sector jobs were created in South Africa during the first quarter of the year – signalling a...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- May 30
- 3 min
Motor trade surging ahead
It did not take long for South Africa’s motor trade to stage a remarkable recovery from the disastrous first year of Covid-induced...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- May 18
- 2 min
All-time record for manufacturing sales
In March, South Africa’s manufacturing sector recorded its highest ever level of sales (at current prices). At R249-billion, the March...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- May 3
- 3 min
Exports surge to new record in March
South Africa’s export trade continues to set new records, a trend that commenced during the second year of the Covid pandemic. At just...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Apr 22
- 3 min
No universal remedy for containing inflation
South Africa’s consumer price index (CPI) is following the universal trend of steadily increasing, but at a markedly slower rate than...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Apr 14
- 2 min
Retail still on the road to recovery
Retail trade sales have started the year on a positive note, with nominal growth of more than 7% recorded for January and February...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Apr 4
- 3 min
Boost for new Growth Policy
President Cyril Ramaphosa had every reason to be pleased with the outcome of South Africa’s fourth Investment Conference, which was held...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Mar 25
- 3 min
Monetary policy ignorant of inflation's short-term nature
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) raised South Africa’s official bank rate (the repo rate) by...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Mar 15
- 2 min
GDP SET TO REMAIN ON GROWTH PATH
The release of the GDP data for 2021 by Statistics South Africa (SSA) was overshadowed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Mar 7
- 4 min
CAPITAL MARKET REACTION TO WAR IN UKRAINE
Two decades ago, the delegates at the annual gathering of the World Future Society, whose historical members include Carl Sagan, Alvin...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Feb 24
- 3 min
South Africa's Fiscal affairs turn the corner
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana probably cannot believe his luck. It is highly unlikely that a taxation revenue overrun of the...
Dr. Roelof Botha
- Feb 15
- 4 min
Business friendly SONA could spark deregulation
Reaction to the 2022 State of the Nation (SONA) address by Pres Cyril Ramaphosa emphatically demonstrated the wide-ranging differences of...