Economy / General

Budget Postponement Reaction

Unprecedented budget speech, but remember this day

The Minister of Finance has not had it easy in 2025 and the budget speech not read yesterday pays testament to this. Postponing the speech to 12 March is unprecedented, and is due to the Government of National Unity (GNU) not reaching consensus on a way forward to tabling a budget.

Trapped below the middle class: economic hardships shatter South Africa’s working-class dreams

South Africa’s working class is now the fastest-growing segment in the country, as millions of households have moved up from poverty or the working poor. However, breaking into the middle class has become significantly more challenging.

SA needs GDP to go to 3% or higher

Sustained GDP growth at 3% or higher is the best way for South Africa to address socioeconomic challenges like fiscal debt, inequality, poverty, and unemployment. Economists and financial market commentators have been saying this for decades; but the South African government appears hell bent on following its redistributive and/or radical economic transformation (RET) masterplan.