A week is a long time in politics, especially this week
It was former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson who said ‘A week is a long time in politics’. That was in 1964 – when Donald Trump was barely out of his teens. These days a single day is a long time in politics. Events across the Atlantic are sure to weigh heavily on President Cyril […]
Yet another above-inflation increase on electricity tariff – with the likelihood of more to come
The 12.74% tariff increase, while substantially less than Eskom’s requested 36.15%, is cold comfort for households and businesses already struggling to afford electricity, and which now face yet another above-inflation increase – with the likelihood of more to come. Deliberations over the tariff hike also raise concern about Eskom’s balance sheet and ongoing municipal debt. […]
There’s little point supplying electricity that is unaffordable – and becoming more unaffordable every year
Eskom has been rightly praised for achieving 300 consecutive days without load shedding. But there’s little point supplying electricity that is unaffordable – and becoming more unaffordable every year. Given the recent series of steep electricity tariff increases, it is difficult to believe Eskom is serious about their latest proposed tariff increase, of 44%. Agreeing […]
Government risks sabotaging critical infrastructure projects with unrealistic preconditions for public-private partnerships
Government risks sabotaging critical infrastructure projects with unrealistic preconditions for public-private partnerships. This is evident in Transnet’s handling of the privatisation process for the container terminals at Ngqura and the container corridor between Johannesburg and Durban.Transnet is insisting that potential partners take on all 3 573 Transnet Freight Rail staff as a precondition for involvement […]
Tight monetary policy putting a handbrake on much-needed economic growth
Tight monetary policy is now putting a handbrake on much-needed economic growth, to the detriment of business growth and job creation. The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry adds its voice to the large number of economists calling on the South African Reserve Bank for a repo rate cut. High interest rates persist as a […]
Premier delivers optimistic and balanced view of the Western Cape’s current challenges
Premier Alan Winde delivered an optimistic and balanced view of the Western Cape’s current challenges, which include persistent high levels of crime and climate change impacts. In our view the Premier’s opening address correctly emphasised the need for greater collaboration between the provinces and national government in delivering public services. In particular we welcome the […]
Multi-stakeholder approach to rescuing the South African economy and creating jobs
In his opening of parliament address Presidential Cyril Ramaphosa rightly highlighted the need for a multi-stakeholder approach to rescuing the South African economy and creating jobs. What he now needs is to back up his vision of results-driven public-private partnerships with the required urgency to get the job done. The Cape Chamber shares many of […]
SA’s current business visa requirements are driving away potential investors
South Africa’s current business visa requirements are driving away potential investors at a time when government claims it is doing the opposite – attracting foreign direct investment. There is nothing attractive about the current requirement that business visa applicants receive a positive recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry. On the contrary, immigration experts […]
South Africa’s Visa Crisis: Implementation of the Immigration Advisory Board
Why is the Minister of Home Affairs refusing to appoint the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB)?Despite an ongoing visa administrative crisis injuring an already crippled economy, the man tasked with resolving the mess apparently sees no need to implement the law and set up the Immigration Advisory Board – a body that would immediately help resolve […]
Budget Speech 2024: South Africa’s very own Cinderella budget
It may go down in history as the Cinderella budget. With a wave of his fiscal wand Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana procured a largely overlooked R150-billion, just enough to balance the books and get South Africa to the proverbial ball – the national elections on May 29. The problem with spells, as Cinderella discovered to […]