Prospects for South Africa to end-2021

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Commodity Prices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Unemployment ◽  
State Enterprises

Subject Prospects for South Africa to end-2021. Significance By mid-2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa had gained the upper hand over factional rivals within the ruling ANC. His government also benefitted from unexpected improvements in economic metrics, largely due to a spike in commodity prices. Nevertheless, key challenges remain unresolved: high unemployment, undperforming state enterprises and a perilous fiscal position.

South Africa finance ministry faces competing pressure

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Commodity Prices ◽  
Basic Income ◽  
Municipal Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Unemployment ◽  
Deficit Reduction

Significance This occurs in a context of market concerns over the recent exits of five senior National Treasury (finance ministry) officials and serious social and economic challenges manifested in high unemployment, inequality and poverty. Impacts Godongwana will resist efforts to create a basic income grant. Higher commodity prices may increase expected revenues, temporarily allowing both increased spending and deficit reduction. Weak results in the November 1 municipal elections may spur greater pressure for more spending.

Commodity prices, the exchange rate and manufacturing in South Africa: what do the data say?

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan Hodge
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Exchange Rate ◽  
Real Exchange Rate ◽  
Money Supply ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Commodity Prices ◽  
Dutch Disease ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Labour Costs ◽  
Unit Labour Costs

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the empirical relationships between changes in OECD output, commodity prices, the real exchange rate, real money supply, unit labour costs and manufacturing in South Africa. In particular, to test a version of the Dutch disease argument that increases in the prices of South Africa’s main commodity exports have had a negative effect on domestic manufacturing against the alternative hypothesis that there is a positive relationship between such changes in commodity prices and domestic manufacturing output. Design/methodology/approach – Construction of a model including real manufacturing output in South Africa as the dependent variable and the following independent variables: OECD output, an international real metals price index, a real effective exchange rate index, real M3 money supply and manufacturing unit labour costs. The time series sample data comprise 124 quarterly observations for the period 1980-2010. The model equation was tested and estimated using a Johansen cointegration approach. Findings – The main findings are: OECD output is the single most important determinant of domestic manufacturing output; while the real exchange rate has the predicted negative sign, rising commodity prices are associated with increases rather than decreases in domestic manufacturing and; large increases in unit labour costs since the early 1980s have dragged down manufacturing over the sample period. Originality/value – The finding of a positive relationship between commodity prices and domestic manufacturing means that the Dutch disease argument must be revised when applied to South Africa. While rising commodity prices may lead to a negative exchange rate effect on manufacturing competitiveness, this is more than offset by the positive growth effects associated with upswings in the commodity price cycle.

The Congolese president will face growing pressure

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Political Instability ◽  
Commodity Prices ◽  
Budget Deficits ◽  
Term Limit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Investor Confidence ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
General Elections

Significance President Joseph Kabila is fighting to maintain his office against a challenge from former Katanga province governor Moise Katumbi. The constitutional term limit stipulates that Kabila relinquish office at the end of the year, but the president is using administrative and legal mechanisms to postpone general elections scheduled for November. Impacts Targeted US sanctions and political instability will erode investor confidence. Low commodity prices will add pressure to Kinshasa as budget deficits rise. Donors will consider withholding aid. South Africa could play a mediating role in resolving the crisis. Neighbouring states will sympathise with Kabila given similar attempts to retain office.

Renewables, gas to boost South Africa power outlook

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Consumer Demand ◽  
Commodity Prices ◽  
Load Shedding ◽  
Power Supplies ◽  
Gdp Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Labour Costs

Significance This is a marked shift from 2015, when regular blackouts or 'load shedding' due to breakdowns and emergency maintenance procedures caused significant disruptions, hurting GDP growth. Eskom generates 95% of South Africa's power. Impacts Improved power supplies will be insufficient to boost GDP growth, which is weighed down by low commodity prices and weak consumer demand. The president's close ties with Russia will fuel suspicion that a secret nuclear deal with Moscow could override a formal tender process. The success of South Africa's renewable energy programme would provide a foundation for the wider region's renewables ambitions. Eskom's preference for procuring coal from black-owned supply firms will reduce competition, potentially increasing costs. Eskom employees' rejection of the utility's 5% wage hike offer portends a higher settlement, resulting in increased labour costs.

Climate change impacts on water resources in a rural community in Limpopo province, South Africa: a community-based adaptation to water insecurity

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-598
Author(s):  
Sejabaledi Agnes Rankoana
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adaptation Practices ◽  
Community Based Adaptation

Purpose The study explored the impacts of climate change on water resources, and the community-based adaptation practices adopted to ensure water security in a rural community in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The participatory approach was used to allow community members to share their challenges of water scarcity, and the measures they have developed to cope with inconsistent water supply. Findings The study results show that the community obtains water for household consumption from the reticulation system supplied by Mutale River and the community borehole. These resources are negatively impacted by drought, change in the frequency and distribution of rainfall, and increased temperature patterns. The water levels in the river and borehole have declined, resulting in unsustainable water supply. The community-based adaptation practices facilitated by the water committee include observance of restrictions and regulations on the water resources use. Others involve securing water from neighbouring resources. Originality/value This type of community-based action in response to climate change could be used as part of rural water management strategies under climate change.

scholarly journals Shopping list development and use of advertisements’ pre-store food-buying practices within different socio-economic status areas in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (12) ◽  
pp. 2880-2902
Author(s):  
Rodney Graeme Duffett ◽  
Crystal Foster
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Low Ses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shopping List ◽  
Food Shopping ◽  
Food Buying Practices

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine whether there is a difference in the development of shopping lists and use of advertisements as pre-store food-buying practices in terms of planned shopping by South African consumers who dwell in different socio-economic status (SES) areas. The paper also considers the influence of shopper and socio-demographic characteristics on pre-store food-buying practices in a developing country. Design/methodology/approach A self-administered questionnaire was used to survey 1 200 consumers in retail stores in low, middle and high SES areas in South Africa. A generalised linear model was employed for the statistical analysis of pre-store food-buying practices within the SES area groups in a developing country. Findings South African consumers that reside in high SES area displayed the largest of shopping list development, while consumers who dwell in low SES areas showed the highest incidence of advertisement usage. Several shopper and socio-demographic characteristics were also found to have an influence on pre-store food-buying practices in different SES areas in South Africa. Research limitations/implications A qualitative approach would offer a deeper understanding of consumers’ pre-store food shopping predispositions as opposed to the quantitative approach, which was adopted for this study. A longitudinal design would also provide a more extensive representation of pre-store food shopping practices over a longer time frame than cross-sectional research. The survey was conducted on Saturdays, whereas consumers who shop during the week may have different shopping and socio-demographic characteristics. Practical implications Astute food brands, marketers and grocery stores could use the findings of this study to assist with their marketing efforts that they direct at consumers in different SES areas in South Africa and other developing countries. Social implications The findings of this study may assist consumers in developing countries, especially those who reside in low SES areas, with food-buying strategies to reduce food costs, make wiser purchase decisions and reduce shopping. Originality/value No study (to the best of the researchers’ knowledge) has considered shopping list development and use of advertisements’ pre-store food-buying practices in different SES areas in a developing country. Furthermore, there is a dearth of research analysing shopper and socio-demographic characteristics in relation to pre-store food-buying practices among different SES areas in developing and developed countries.

scholarly journals Trends in Antifungal Drug Susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans Isolates Obtained through Population-Based Surveillance in South Africa in 2002-2003 and 2007-2008

2011 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 2606-2611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelesh P. Govender ◽  
Jaymati Patel ◽  
Marelize van Wyk ◽  
Tom M. Chiller ◽  
Shawn R. Lockhart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Drug Susceptibility ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Microdilution Method ◽  
Broth Microdilution Method

ABSTRACTCryptococcus neoformansis the most common cause of meningitis among adult South Africans with HIV infection/AIDS. Widespread use of fluconazole for treatment of cryptococcal meningitis and other HIV-associated opportunistic fungal infections in South Africa may lead to the emergence of isolates with reduced fluconazole susceptibility. MIC testing using a reference broth microdilution method was used to determine if isolates with reduced susceptibility to fluconazole or amphotericin B had emerged among cases of incident disease. Incident isolates were tested from two surveillance periods (2002-2003 and 2007-2008) when population-based surveillance was conducted in Gauteng Province, South Africa. These isolates were also tested for susceptibility to flucytosine, itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole. Serially collected isolate pairs from cases at several large South African hospitals were also tested for susceptibility to fluconazole. Of the 487 incident isolates tested, only 3 (0.6%) demonstrated a fluconazole MIC of ≥16 μg/ml; all of these isolates were from 2002-2003. All incident isolates were inhibited by very low concentrations of amphotericin B and exhibited very low MICs to voriconazole and posaconazole. Of 67 cases with serially collected isolate pairs, only 1 case was detected where the isolate collected more than 30 days later had a fluconazole MIC value significantly higher than the MIC of the corresponding incident isolate. Although routine antifungal susceptibility testing of incident isolates is not currently recommended in clinical settings, it is still clearly important for public health to periodically monitor for the emergence of resistance.

An overview of the current state of interlibrary loans in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-83
Author(s):  
Jenny Raubenheimer ◽  
John Stephen van Niekerk
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Current State ◽  
Computer Library ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Essential Service

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review interlending development in South Africa and current trends in interlending. Design/methodology/approach – Literature study and survey. Findings – Interlending is still an essential service in South Africa. Interlending systems must be used effectively to ensure rapid delivery of requested interlibrary loans. There is a significant use of WorldShare ILL, but there is a scope for substantial development. Research limitations/implications – This is not a comprehensive study but focusses on current interlending activities at some of the larger South African academic and special libraries and the use of Online Computer Library Centre systems. Practical implications – The paper provides some historical information and the extent of current interlending and systems used. Social implications – The paper gives an indication of the value of interlending in South Africa and its contribution to information provision. Originality/value – The paper provides a snapshot of interlending in South Africa and areas for development.

The impact of globalization on the performance of Banks in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadzlan Sufian ◽  
Fakarudin Kamarudin
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Bank Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multinational Banks ◽  
Dynamic Panel Regression ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to provide empirical evidence for the impact globalization has had on the performance of the banking sector in South Africa. In addition, this study also investigates bank-specific characteristics and macroeconomic conditions that may influence the performance of the banking sector. Design/methodology/approach The authors use data collected for all commercial banks in South Africa between 1998 and 2012. The ratio of return on assets was used to measure bank performance. They then used the dynamic panel regression with the generalized method of moments as an estimation method to investigate the potential determinants and the impact of globalization on bank performance. Findings Positive impact of greater economic integration and trade movements of the host country, while greater social globalization in the host country tends to exert negative influence on bank profitability. The results show that banks originating from the relatively more economically globalized countries tend to perform better, while banks headquartered in countries with greater social and political globalizations tend to exhibit lower profitability levels. Originality/value An empirical model was developed that allows for the performance of multinational banks to depend on internal and external factors. Moreover, unlike the previous studies on bank performance, in this empirical analysis, we control for the different dimensions of globalizations while taking into account the origins of the multinational banks. The procedure allows us to test for the home field, the liability of foreignness and global advantage hypotheses to deduce further insights into the prospects of banking across borders.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document