ECONOMICS AND POLICY
China’s Trade Surplus Surges as Exports Power Ahead Despite US Sanctions
China had a record goods trade surplus of over US$1 trillion for the first 11 months of the year as its manufacturing output powered ahead despite heavy US tariffs and sanctions.
Economics & Policy
December 11, 2025
6 min read
Use Apartheid Legislation to Classify Your Employees, Government Says
A letter from the Department of Labour and Employment tells employers to use apartheid-era racial laws to classify staff.
Politics
December 11, 2025
4 min read
Business Confidence Rises as Economy Shows Signs of Life
South Africa’s business mood has strengthened sharply, with new data showing the broadest rise in confidence in years.
Economics & Policy
December 10, 2025
6 min read
Hassett Tipped for Fed Job as Trump Pushes for Faster Rate Cuts
As Trump edges closer to replacing Jerome Powell with loyalist economist Kevin Hassett at the Fed, markets are already betting on cheaper money, a weaker dollar, and a fresh test of central bank independence.
Global
December 10, 2025
6 min read
EXCLUSIVE: SA Farmers Turn to Legal Action as Disease Outbreak Intensifies
South Africa’s farmers have written to the Department of Agriculture, accusing it of foot-dragging as the foot-and-mouth disease crisis deepens.
Politics
December 10, 2025
2 min read
Rand Hits Records and May Strengthen Further Through 2026
The rand’s recovery has been driven chiefly by a broad weakening of the dollar, which has been supported by domestic developments, and if the US looks to run its economy “hot” through 2026 the rand may easily hold levels of sub-17 to the greenback.
Economics & Policy
December 9, 2025
4 min read
The NPC’s Risky Revival of Apartheid-Era Financial Control
A new proposal for pension funds to be forced to invest in government infrastructure projects has been suggested by the NPC.
Economics & Policy
December 6, 2025
4 min read
South Africa’s Coal Plants Urgently Need Refurbishment to Avoid Ferrochrome Crisis
South Africa’s ferrochrome industry, once a cornerstone of its industrial economy, is facing one of its darkest periods in decades, and at the heart of this crisis is the dire need for urgent action on the country’s electricity generation capacity.
Economics & Policy
December 5, 2025
2 min read
Cape Town Port Struggles Spark Urgent Calls for Action on Backlog
Just weeks ahead of Christmas South Africa’s fruit industry faces a crisis as severe disruptions at Cape Town’s port threaten export operations.
Economics & Policy
December 5, 2025
1 min read
Car Sales Continue to Record Growth in November
Vehicle sales are strongly up in November, buoyed by a stronger rand, cheaper oil, and lower interest rates.
Economics & Policy
December 4, 2025
2 min read
