Monthly: May 2023

The problems of South Africa’s sky-high unemployment and inflation

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

THE unemployment crisis

The latest unemployment numbers released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) last week, depressed me again. The official unemployment rate rose to 32.9% in the first…

An open letter to Andre de Ruyter

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

DEAR Andre,

I read your book! Well done!

I thought I should write to you. My letter will be simple and straightforward, no sophistication at all, just a simple thank…

The smart people Ramaphosa should listen to on public policy 

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

LAST week on Twitter, chief economist of Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), Isaah Mhlanga, suggested that Eskom, South Africa’s troubled state-owned electricity supply company, be privatised.

With his tweet, Mhlanga…

A market economy will uplift South Africa’s poor

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa’s Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, has blamed the private sector for South Africa’s blackouts that have destroyed businesses and jobs. Surprised? I am not.
Politicians who believe in…