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The year that was Published: 2012-01-24

Looking back over the last 12 months it is most instructive to see what exercised our minds over the last year and where we find ourselves now.

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SA Demography Published: 2011-11-07

October, which the Afrikaans poet Leipoldt called “die mooiste, mooiste maand”, saw the world’s 7th billion person being born and SA conducting its third census since 1994.

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48 hours in SA’s political-economy Published: 2011-10-28

It is seldom that we have such a good 48 hours in SA’s public life. It is a useful counter-point to the planned ANC Youth League marches on Thursday and Friday.

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Understanding more of (un)employment Published: 2011-10-12

In the midst of all the turmoil and volatility on the financial markets, September was quite a seminal month for the SA labour market. A ground-breaking wage agreement was struck in the Clothing & Textile Industry, and two important reports were published that enhance our understanding of the labour market.

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Strikes and Dividing the Spoils Published: 2011-09-14

As the rugby world cup kicked off, it seemed as though the strike season in SA was drawing to an end. Here and there a wage dispute still simmers, and that may yet escalate into full-blown strikes

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Industrial Relations 101 Published: 2011-08-16

During the current strike action several clients have asked why government allows strikes, why it is not “taking action” against strikers and why it does not grant companies exemption from minimum wages. Be careful what you wish for is the old warning. This applies to SA’s wage setting mechanisms.

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Open Society Dynamics At Work Published: 2011-07-11

“Open society, open economy, sound money (i.e. low inflation)”.

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The fight is in the middle Published: 2011-06-08

We discussed the May local govt election results in a special note we published two weeks ago. On further reflection, I want to add another perspective.

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May, Election Review Published: 2011-05-25

"Steven Friedman put it succinctly: “South Africans vote their identities”. Did they do so in this election?"

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Preview of the local government elections Published: 2011-05-12

"Every voter has two votes next Wednesday - one for a ward councillor, where one chooses between individuals, and one on a proportional list where one casts a vote for a political party."

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Bigger Ambition Published: 2011-04-28

"In the space of one recent week, I experienced the most remarkable coincidence of inputs"

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Manuel and Manyi -drawing the line Published: 2011-03-14

Without doubt this is the biggest political story of the year so far. At its heart is where non-racism starts.

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2011 Budget - Boring (bar the odd surprise) Published: 2011-02-25

Finance minister Gordhan has submitted his (and the Zuma administration`s) second budget. What can we learn about the politics of this government from the budget?

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One step forward ...two steps forward Published: 2011-02-10

"I have been following the annual release of the Development Indicators, a set of 80 measurements covering 10 areas of our national life, since its introduction in 2008."

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SA a failing state? .... Hmmm. No. Published: 2010-12-12

"Several BoE clients have asked for a comment on suggestions that SA is a failing state. I am reluctant, for what is a failed state? Definitions vary with some even saying the term ôhas no coherent definitionö. How to judge then?"

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A hectic political week Published: 2010-11-09

The last week of October saw several political developments - the announcement by Minister Ebrahim Patel of the ôNew Growth Pathö approved by Cabinet; the mini-budget delivered by Minister Pravin Gordhan; the cabinet reshuffle announced by pres Zuma.á W

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A confused and confusing body politic Published: 2010-10-22

The signals from the ANC body politic remain contradictory and confusing

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Worst strike season ever Published: 2010-09-15

"The numbers merely confirm what we already knew - it was the worst strike season in SA history. Including Monday the 6th September, our estimate of the man days lost through strike action came to 16,3 million for the year to date."

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Press freedom in SA Published: 2010-08-10

Parliament is hearing evidence on a Bill on the protection of information. An ANC discussion paper on a media tribunal is circulating. The combined effect is a fiery debate about press freedom in SA.

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Re-visiting the Ladder of Development Published: 2010-07-13

"In May 2004, when FIFA appointed SA the host of the 2010 Soccer Cup, and again in November 2006 in a road show to BoE clients, we evaluated SA`s hosting of the World Cup with reference to the ôLadder of Developmentö set out by the Japanese strategist Kenic"




 


 
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