2021-01-21 774 views audio available
A proverbial storm has developed around South Africa's procurement, or the perceived lack thereof, of Covid-19 vaccines. People are understandably anxious and have many questions. I therefore compiled this note from publicly available information, and trust readers find it useful.
2016-03-31 244 views
In a well-reasoned judgement, written by Chief Justice Mogoeng and concurred to by all ten other judges, the Constitutional Court today ruled, amongst several rulings, that the President acted inconsistently with his duties under the Constitution when he did not comply with the Public Protector’s finding to pay for the reasonable costs of non-security related improvements to his homestead at Nkandla. These improvements refer to the infamous “fire pool”, amphitheatre, visitors’ centre, cattle kraal and chicken run.
2014-02-25 604 views
It is a relief to be back in Johannesburg’s summer after the freezing temperatures that we endured the last month or so in Washington. So what have I learnt during the 4 months in Washington? Growth and social capital stand out.
2011-05-12 410 views
"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."
2011-04-28 479 views
"In the space of one recent week, I experienced the most remarkable coincidence of inputs"
2011-03-14 884 views
Without doubt this is the biggest political story of the year so far. At its heart is where non-racism starts.
2011-02-10 373 views
"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."
2010-12-12 538 views
"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?"
2010-08-10 337 views
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.
2010-07-13 300 views
"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"
2010-06-08 341 views
"What would you think of a country that has amassed forex reserves of more than $400 billion and rising? In a world of deficits and too much debt, it is certainly a nice bank balance to have."
2009-10-20 268 views
"Starting 3 years ago, the Presidency annually releases a set of development indicators measuring how SA is shaping up. 76 indicators, grouped around ten areas of our national life, are measured and compared over time."
2009-06-09 231 views
What do the House of Lords and Old Mutual have in common? And how does that commonality influence investors?
2008-10-31 397 views
"What do ANC youth leader Julius Malema, Wall Street bankers and South Africa`s Constitutional Court judges have in common?"
2008-10-09 261 views
"In 2007 in the run-up to the ANC conference at Polokwane a gogo got to her feet at an overwhelmingly pro-Thabo Mbeki meeting, and proposed Jacob Zuma as the presidential candidate."
2008-07-17 305 views
"Thesis on social capital submitted for a M Phil in Futurestudies at the University of Stellenbosch, 2003.."
2008-07-07 357 views
What do the above have in common? The link between them lies in social capital. We can trace the link back over 140 years.
2008-04-09 329 views
The mood in the country, certainly amongst White people, is quite depressed. An annual opinion poll on how optimistic South Africans are, found that in February 2008 60% of South Africans felt positive...
2007-06-19 528 views
In November the Economist published a ranking of democracies in the world. The ranking had 4 categories....