JP Landman
Political & Trend Analyst
Demography & Growth
IRP: The Integrated Resource Plan
2019-10-21 989 views
One of the most important policies of the Ramaphosa government, the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), has been approved and made public. It covers the decade to 2030 and gives clarity on and direction for energy investments in South Africa.
Beneath the noise
2019-07-09 862 views
Every year Stats SA conducts a General Household Survey (the Survey) to measure the state of social development in the country. The data provides a useful perspective on what is going on in South Africa – a welcome break from the tedium of echo chambers with their repetitive comment and instant analysis.
From intense emotions to hard numbers
2018-09-10 1092 views
During revelations from the state capture and SARS enquiries, news of recession, the drama of expropriation without compensation, and rumours of plots to get rid of President Ramaphosa, it is good to turn our gaze away from the dust and commotion of South African politics. Let’s focus on some hard numbers – the official mid-year population estimates published by StatsSA. It is arguably one of the most important sets of numbers in our national calendar.
The other set of numbers
2017-09-11 510 views
The numbers occupying centre stage at the moment are which candidates are nominated by how many branches in the ANC leadership contest. That can tell us what will happen in December at the ANC’s elective conference. But, we will have to be patient and wait until the end of October for those numbers to emerge.
From Brexit to understanding local better
2016-07-04 180 views
A large number of clients have contacted us and asked for our comments on Brexit. The simple truth is, nobody knows. Not even the Brits.
BACK TO BASICS - AND STRONG ENDORSEMENT
2014-10-23 309 views
The Minister of Finance presented a back to basics budget statement on Wednesday afternoon when he submitted the mini-budget (or Medium Term Budget Policy Statement - MTBPS - as the Treasury prefers it to be called).
Politics and Growth
2014-06-19 382 views
We have had Pres Zuma’s inauguration speech; the new cabinet; lately bad growth numbers from the first quarter and threat that rating agencies can downgrade us because of low growth. So we can legitimately ask what politics will do for growth over the next few years.
Census 2011
2012-11-09 440 views
The long term trends are beautifully revealed in the first results of Census 2011. It is simply the story of a country incrementally improving itself. We can unambiguously state that SA is a better place than it was 10 and 20 years ago.
SA Demography
2011-11-07 428 views
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.
(Un)Employment Update
2008-09-10 216 views
<br>The recently released June 2008 Labour Force Survey enables us to update our understanding of employment trends.<br><br>
6 MYTHS ABOUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
2008-06-02 556 views
<b>Myth 1: Someone is to blame</b><br />It was encapsulated by a Methodist minister at a discussion on Saturday afternoon, “Who is to blame?” he asked.
Monthly political overview September 2005
2005-10-03 203 views
Monthly political overview September 2005
Monthly political overview July 2005: the trend is confirmed
2005-05-04 204 views
Monthly political overview July 2005: the trend is confirmed
NON-RACISM BEGINS AT HOME
2004-11-02 205 views
"A stronger economy and more jobs are within our grasp, but racism is holding us back."
What does R165 billion mean...?
2004-10-22 231 views
"The minister for state enterprises, Alec Erwin, announced this week in parliament that Eskom and Transnet will spend R165 billion over the next 5 years on infrastructure and capital investment."
The Twin Changes - breaking two bad habits
2004-03-10 230 views
Two significant changes have come into maturity this February. Both have had quite an impact on the investment environment. Both tell us something about political will and policy
"The D A, opposition politics and the markets"
2001-10-29 213 views
"LAST week we said developments in the Democratic Alliance would only become relevant to the financial markets if a new coalition came into being, between the ANC and parts of the DA. This is now happening. <br><br> The following scenarios are likely: <"
Serious misunderstandings about globalisation
2001-06-26 180 views
"AT a recent workshop on globalisation I was struck by the intensity of the opposition to it, as displayed by some South Africans.<br><br> Globalisation was mentioned in the same context as failure of human rights and a billion people having to live"
One-Minute Workout - Privatisation and Deregulation
2001-06-11 219 views
"There are more than 200 state-owned corporations and utilities in SA. If their subsidiaries are included, the number rises to 320. In total, they employ about 300 000 people.<br><br> However, the Big Four -- Telkom, Eskom, Denel and Transnet -- repre"
Labour 1; <br><font size=2>Business 0</font>
2001-05-22 173 views
"SENIOR business and labour leaders have reached an agreement with one very important consequence Government`s attempts to make the SA labour market more flexible, are being undermined.<br><br> It can only happen in surprise-a-day SA, surely: business"
Growth of 3% is better than you think
2001-04-20 188 views
"It has become accepted wisdom that the SA economy has to grow at 6% to pull the country out of its problems. Alternatively, that 3% growth is hopelessly insufficient and merely indicative of our poor economic performance. Well, is this true?<br><br> In t"
One-Minute Workout <br>P P P`s
2001-03-07 196 views
"Everybody is focused on the Big Four: Telkom, Transnet, Escom and Denel. These are big transactions involving big money and even bigger symbolism. However, our research indicates that an equally important story is unfolding at the level of local and pro"
Budget 2001 Comment
2001-02-22 229 views
"Judge politicians not by their words, but by their deeds. And politicians` most important deeds are their budget. Based on that approach, this year`s budget reveals three political goals.<br> <br> A. Government`s political priorities:<br> <br> These"
Waar gaan die beleggings vandaan kom?
2001-01-01 221 views
"MET erkenning aan die psalmdigter wil `n mens jou od opslaan na die kapitaalmarkte van die wOreld en vra, waar sal die beleggings vir SA tog vandaan kom? <br><br> Vaste beleggings, of investering soos die ekonome verkies om dit te noem, is die dryfkr"
"Up, down, <br>now probably up"
2000-12-01 217 views
"The story of the SA economy over the past 40 years may be summarised as follows: first +35, then -11. And looking forward, the next ten years could take us to +17. <br><br> Between the early Sixties and middle Seventies, per capita income increased by 3"
Overcome despondency
2000-11-07 224 views
"The biggest single change in South Africa during the past year has been in that invisible but very real element, confidence. <br><br> The year started with expectations that the economy would grow by 3,5%. Now we are likely to end up with 2,5%. When he"
"Poverty, inflation and growth"
2000-06-09 202 views
A number of myths about growth and the reduction of poverty are dispelled in new research findings covering 80 countries over 40 years. The conclusions have profound implications for public policy in South Africa. <br><br> The key finding is that growth
Finding a common vision for South Africa
1999-11-19 216 views
"The enormous task of providing a better life for all in SA is clear from a few simple calculations. Average per capita income isR17 500 - R18 000 a year or about US$2 900, lower than in Botswana and Mauritius. <br><br> Adjusted for inflation, the figure"
Beyond good policies
1999-10-29 184 views
"The ANC`s long road on economic policy formulation has taken it from the Freedom Charter all the way to Gear. That journey, linked to the legitimacy derived from winning democratic elections overwhelmingly, has enabled an ANC-led Government to create a s"
"SA, Nyerere and Pinochet"
1999-09-22 204 views
The death of Tanzania`s former President Julius Nyerere and a British lower court`s decision to allow the extradition of Chile`s General Augusto Pinochet to Spain hold compelling lessons for SA. <br><br> Nyerere is widely remembered and honoured for his
Open the door for unemployed
1999-09-10 214 views
"South Africa`s yearning for less poverty and greater equality will not be satisfied without more jobs. Redistribution without further job creation can at best be to the advantage of a few, without even marginally improving the lot of the masses. <br><br"