ANC take heed: even big brands die if they abandon their founding values
The brand of South Africa's ruling party, the 104-year-old ANC, is in serious decline. The party needs to act decisively to stop this.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Why South Africa’s public protector has overstepped her mandate
The prevailing mandate of the South African Reserve Bank is informed by sound economics and the need to protect the institution from the whims of politicians.
Despite Brexit, the EU still holds valuable lessons for African integration
For real integration to happen, the Pan African Parliament needs to be imbued with supranational law-making powers. But national sovereignty is something that many states are reluctant to give up.
South Africa’s central bank row points to dangerous levels of intolerance
A financial system that is sure to collapse if the central bank cares about people’s well-being goes against democratic principle.
South Africa’s Reserve Bank is in the eye of a storm. Academics quiz the governor
The South African Reserve Bank has come under spotlight due to the critical role it must play in enabling the country to navigate rough waters. Governor Lesetja Kganyago shares his views.
It’s hard to get rid of the governor of a central bank. Here’s why
Is the South African Reserve Bank safe from the wave of state capture sweeping through a number of the country's institutions?
Reserve Bank independence: sobering lessons from India and South Africa
Attacks on the South African Reserve Bank and events in India that led to the exit of the governor of the country's central bank are a warning that banks aren't immune from political meddling.
Analysis and Comment
Pursuing a 30-year old bailout is sending South Africa on a wild goose chase
South Africa's Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane has touched on two highly contentious issues: the unresolved bailout for a local bank three decades ago. And the role of the country's Reserve Bank.
Tax evasion and dirty money are draining Africa
Tax fraud combined with dirty money from criminal activity, including trafficking and terrorism – are seriously weakening the economic health of African states.
Corrupt state owned enterprises lie at the heart of South Africa’s economic woes
Reforming South Africa’s state owned enterprises should start with greater accountability and financial responsibility.
The World Bank reinvents itself – and puts poverty reduction at risk
A dubious deal with the Trumps has sparked criticism of the World Bank, but attention should be focused elsewhere.
How a South African company turned constraints into global strengths
The development trajectory of South African born brewer SABMiller peaked with the 2016 $104 billion merger with Anheuser-Busch InBev. Behind it lies an extraordinary journey.
South Africa has failed its young people. What can be done about it
The end of apartheid should have heralded a new South Africa for the generation born at its demise. But that hasn't happened.
Young South Africans aren’t apathetic, just fed up with formal politics
It's time South Africa stopped stereotyping its young people as being disinterested and morally bankrupt and started engaging them.
How to make South Africa’s public works programme work for women
South Africa's public works programme is a laudable idea. But it must be closely monitored to make sure it doesn't lead to unintended consequences, especially for women.
South Africa’s power utility: so many red flags it’s hard to know where to start
The scandals surrounding South Africa's power utility, Eskom, was caused by the neglect of corporate governance rules by the board, the executive authority and the public enterprises minister.
How to create jobs in the age of robots and low growth
Rethinking work is crucial for industrialised and emerging economies, where job losses are being felt even in the presence of substantial, although diminishing, economic growth.
South Africa will need a government of national healing after Zuma leaves
South Africa needs to start thinking about life after President Jacob Zuma. Given the damage that he's done, serious thought should be given to forming a government of national unity.
Research and News
Cash is falling out of fashion – will it disappear forever?
You can now pay your way with apps, cryptocurrencies and other digital alternatives. Physical money might one day look like a relic of the past.
Britain’s imperial ghosts have taken control of Brexit
May's government is evoking arguments made by the early 20th-century tariff reform campaign of Joseph Chamberlain.
Rest of the world
Cash is falling out of fashion – will it disappear forever?
You can now pay your way with apps, cryptocurrencies and other digital alternatives. Physical money might one day look like a relic of the past.
Born in China: a new type of Australian business
A new breed of company has appeared as Australian entrepreneurs create successful small businesses in China.
How to protect 4.5m people from becoming Brexit bargaining chips
A treaty on citizens' rights in a moral obligation and legally possible too.
Why the hung parliament spells economic turbulence for the UK economy
The UK has its economic focus all wrong – why investment-led growth is needed
Why the EU’s Singapore ruling does not lead to a smoother Brexit road for Britain
America’s worsening global reputation could put billions in US exports at risk
Inequality
Why a ‘cashless’ society would hurt the poor: A lesson from India
India's recent move toward a cash-free society helped reveal just how important physical currency is to the informal economies that the poorest families depend upon.
New index of economic marginalisation helps explain Trump, Brexit and alt.right
New measure of 32 countries' economic balance places UK and US near bottom of the pile.
Research and Expert Database
Editors’ Picks
Property
Home ownership remains strong in Australia but it masks other problems: Census data
The latest 2016 Census data assesses what the national home ownership and rental rates are and how these vary location. It also gives us a picture of mortgage and rental costs.
Farming
The real reasons why British workers won’t pick fruit
It's about housing, transport, benefits, pay, and the culture of work.
Job titles
Calling all ‘Time Ninjas’: let’s put a stop to ludicrous job titles
Silly labels for well-paid roles just add another layer of elitism.
Philantrophy
What Jeff Bezos gets wrong (and right) with his populist philanthropy
Amazon's founder turned to Twitter to crowdsource ideas for his charitable giving. This populist approach and his preference for short-term results set Jeff Bezos apart from other mega-donors.
ICT
The iPhone turns 10 – and it’s isolated us, not united us
How has the first generation of kids to grow up with the iPhone been affected?
Leadership
Fixing a toxic culture like Uber’s requires more than just a new CEO
Ethical scandals at Uber and Fox have focused attention on the leaders of the organizations, but the problems of a toxic culture often embed deep within an organization.
Automotive
How did the VW camper turn into a £90,000 icon?
Auctioneers have put a record price tag on the ultimate symbol of 60s counterculture and vintage nostalgia.
Education
How Trump’s harsh education cuts undermine his economic growth goals
The Trump administration's cuts to social programs like career and technical education would deal a blow to its efforts to boost economic growth.
Education
Poor and middle-income families need a better way than 529s to save for college
More than half of American families aren't able to save a dime to cover the cost of college, and the 529 college savings plan has done almost nothing to change that.
Tobacco
How Big Tobacco is losing the fight to stop plain packaging of cigarettes
The UK is the latest country where tobacco companies cannot market their brands on their packets.
Business of sport
How football clubs fail and succeed after reaching England’s Premier League
There are three ways to manage promotion to the top flight. Let QPR, Blackpool and Burnley guide you through the choices.
Intellectual property
How an open approach to patents could help build a sustainable future
Elon Musk struck a blow for open IP, so should other sustainable industries go the same way?
Business of sport
How corruption in Greek football makes the game’s future uncertain
Predictable results and unresolved corruption scandals are a serious issue for the future of the Greek game.
Housing
Tiny houses: the big idea that could take some heat out of the housing crisis
Could building small affordable dwellings be a part of the solution?
Health
How to stop your lunch break damaging your health
Seven million workers are missing out on information which keep keep them healthier.
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