Isaah

Typical of economic discourse, multiple groups are debating about the direction of policy for a post-Covid-19 economy. The reality is that the right solution needs to be nuanced and will incorporate aspects of proposals from all groups. Extremism displayed at times will not be the solution, rather, the solutions will be nuanced. Government needs to lead by establishing…

Isaah Mhlanga, chief economist at Alexander Forbes. Reports of new Covid-19 infections in Beijing and a bubonic plague outbreak in the Mongolia autonomous region may derail recovery and introduce a new risk for markets.For policymakers, we still have an incomplete response to Covid-19. Being the second-largest economy in the world, developments in China often drive sentiment in…

Isaah Mhlanga, chief economist at Alexander Forbes. SA's is at risk of perpetuating income inequality despite efforts to overcome it.For example, government has put in place a programme to help SMMEs – but these businesses have to be in good standing to qualify.Yet 91% of small businesses in 2019's Late Payment Survey were owed money,…

Isaah Mhlanga, chief economist at Alexander Forbes. Growth forecasts before Covid remained below 2% for the next three yearsSooner or later, South Africa would have approached the International Monetary Fund for a structural adjustment program.We would need economic growth of at least 4.5% per year for a very long time to make debt sustainable, and…