The future of medical tax credits
15 November 2023 - In this exclusive Client Note, Chris Hattingh discusses how the abolishment of medical tax credits could threaten the sustainability of private medical aids.
Mr Hattingh further argues that ending medical tax credits will not address the issues afflicting the public health sector, nor will it help meet the enormous costs of the NHI.
Treasury walking the tightrope
02 November 2023 - In this exclusive Client Note, Chris Hattingh unpacks the 2023 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement.
Mr. Hattingh argues that only through growth-orientated policies can South Africa avoid a fiscal crisis.
Conflict in the Middle East
27 October 2023 - In this exclusive Client Note, Chris Hattingh and Nicholas Lorimer discuss how the Israeli-Hamas conflict could evolve into a larger regional conflict in the Middle East, impacting international oil markets and investor sentiment.
The writers argue that a protracted war could further push investment flows away from riskier assets such as South African government bonds.
BRICS Brief
22 August 2023 - In this exclusive Client Note, Genevieve Labuschagne of the CRA unpacks the two main aims of BRICS: to expand influence by increasing its members, and to establish a unified currency to rival the Dollar.
Ms. Labuschagne argues that the volatile relations between member states, and the pursuit of self interest, could limit the effectiveness and potential longevity of BRICS.
Will the ANC give up power peacefully?
24 July 2023 - In this exclusive CRA Client Note, Marius Roodt of the IRR explores the ANC's prospects in the 2024 national election, and how the party may respond, should it lose its national majority.
Mr. Roodt argues that even if the ANC did give up power, it is likely that the party would move to undermine the new government in numerous ways.
Russia – the Prigozhin Rebellion
30 June 2023 - Last Friday, Wagner forces briefly rebelled against Moscow, threatening stability in Russia. In this exclusive Client Note, CRA Director John Endres unpacks what the 'Prigozhin rebellion' could mean for Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war.
Dr. Endres argues that a key variable to watch will be the emergence of further challenges to Mr. Putin.
National Health Insurance Update
28 June 2023 - On 13th June, the National Assembly passed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill. In this exclusive Client Note, Head of Policy Analysis at the CRA Chris Hattingh provides an overview of the NHI Bill, as well as a timeline to its implementation.
Mr. Hattingh argues that the NHI will exacerbate corruption in the public sector and that it is unlikely to fix any of the problems that afflict both the public and private sectors.
Gaming a grid collapse
26 May 2023 - In this exclusive Client Note, CRA Director John Endres and CRA Head of Policy Analysis Chris Hattingh discusses how South Africa's electricity crisis could deepen, and assesses the likelihood of a grid collapse.