Chris Hattingh

[Opinion] The end of social compacts?

This inevitably means that, when a party such as the ANC is in charge of state organs and tools, the default will be toward policies that increase centralisation, taxation, and power maximisation – all of which have wrought havoc on the economy, with a record-high unemployment rate and lower foreign direct investment flows as the prime examples.

[Letter] SA is not getting the basics of reliable trade infrastructure right

This means the country's fiscus will be more fragile in future.

[Opinion] Redistributionism or Growth?

Basic Income Grant (BIG) – added to the increasing number of other forms of welfare – represents a major risk to South Africa’s fiscal responsibility and growth prospects.

[Letter] Nationalising the Sarb won’t solve unemployment, energy insecurity

Simply discussing the possibility of nationalisation sends a signal to SA and international companies and investors that the institution may lose all credibility

[Opinion] Heightened risk of social unrest in second half of 2022

In the context of rising food and fuel prices, an official unemployment rate of 34%, and growth-depressing factors such as blockades of the N3 and persistent rolling blackouts, South Africa faces the prospect of more social unrest and instability over coming months.

[Letter] Wiser to ignore government

Inflation is likely to remain high given that there is little prospect that substantive structural reforms in both the policy and administered price areas will be implemented any time soon (“SA consumers at ‘tipping point’ as food inflation soars, says NielsenIQ”, July 27).

[Letter] State capture a feature of ANC ideology

There may be overtures to accountability and structural reforms, but for as long as the ANC adheres to the requirements and edicts of the NDR the incentives and pressures for corruption will persist.

[Opinion] Lower growth on the horizon

Within the context of a tightening global business environment, foreign investment in countries such as South Africa may decline, or head towards more friendly climates. Higher interest rates also mean tighter credit, and so businesses that want to expand may be faced with higher risk and credit costs.