South Africa is increasingly beginning to focus on the potential role cultural and creative industries can play in job creation and economic growth.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Business + Economy – Articles, Analysis, Comment
Displaying 1276 - 1300 of 1382 articles
In the age of austerity, governments have limited resources to invest in new areas of research – like clean energy – that have multiple risks. Billionaires like Bill Gates can help plug the gap.
Like any commodity, the value of the rand is determined by the market forces of supply and demand. Its weakening is also affected by a myriad of structural problems facing the South African economy.
South Africa’s current economic situation is reminiscent of events in 1985 when the economy nearly collapsed. This article, first published last year, looks at the similarities.
Three in ten leaders across the world are toxic. Toxic leaders destroy individuals as well as organisations, and affect the performance of a society and country.
South Africa has been hit by a severe drought and will not be able to produce enough maize - its staple food - in 2016. This will prompt a rise in imports and therefore food prices.
South Africa’s transition into democracy involved compromises that left white privilege intact and black poverty undiminished. Here are a dozen of Mandela’s economic deals that need to be undone.
Reaching middle class status and sustaining it into retirement is a major challenge. The key is to live within your means.
After 1994 the microcredit movement helped plunge large numbers of black South Africans into heavy debt and poverty while enriching a few white elites who provided the loans.
Kampala generates about 60% of Uganda’s GDP. In the coming decade urbanisation is the single largest opportunity to spur economic growth in the coming decade.
South African opposition politician Julius Malema has blamed economic policies put in place during Nelson Mandela’s era for the country’s high levels of inequality. He may have a point.
Microcredit, which was viewed as a perfect market-affirming solution to poverty in developing countries, has collapsed. In 30 years it’s gone from Zorro to Zombie.
Contrary to the view that all migrants take jobs from South Africans, research shows that migrant entrepreneurs generate employment for local citizens.
This is a list of old and new books on entrepreneurship. The common thing about them is that they give entrepreneurs the tools they need to start their businesses.
South Africans are all poorer as a result of Jacob Zuma’s decision to replace his finance minister. But there maybe benefits too. The debacle suggests his grip on power has been weakened.
South African President Jacob Zuma has lost control of his party and his administration. It is time citizens came together and gave the old man a helping hand to exit.
South Africa has had three finance ministers in four days. President Jacob Zuma will live with the fall-out for the rest of his term. Markets have a long-term memory and won’t easily forget.
It is difficult to analyse political developments in South Africa. Decision-making does not fit any neat political science theory. President Zuma is unpredictable and his policy thinking is woolly.
The removal of Minister Nene is a significant act. The fact that he has been replaced by someone who is unknown and untested simply compounds it.
Credit rating agencies have come in for a lot of flack. But the bottom line is that to attract investors with deep pockets countries can’t avoid having a credit rating. And a good one at that.
South Africa’s art market has seen substantial growth in the past few years. But investing in art remains risky and produces limited returns.
Since time immemorial, huge infrastructure projects have been financed with funds from the capital markets. Africa should not rely on development finance institutions.
China’s experience indicates that special economic zones can help countries in Africa attract foreign investors, diversify their economies and promote manufacturing.
Sustainable development is one of the priorities of Nigeria’s new government. This is an opportunity to combat problems detrimental to the country’s economy and ecosystems.
Simulations indicate that the introduction of a national minimum wage in South Africa could boost household consumption and economic growth as well as reduce inequality and poverty.