economist Archives - Voice of the Cape

Inflation Holds at 3.2% Amid Rising Housing and Utilities Costs

Consumer price inflation (CPI) remained unchanged at 3.2% in February, holding steady from January. This marks the fourth consecutive month that inflation has stayed above the four-and-a-half-year low of 2.8% recorded in October. Meanwhile, the Consumer Price Index registered a monthly increase of 0.9% in February. Independent Economic Analyst Professor Bonke Dumisa explained that the latest CPI figures provide an accurate reflection of inflation trends in South Africa. “The Consumer […]

24 March 2025

Local

Economist deems budget postponement as a “step in the right direction”

The Government of National Unity (GNU) is finally taking a step towards the right direction, according to Economist Dawie Roodt. This comes after the Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana postponed Wednesday's planned national budget speech due to disagreements within the GNU over certain aspects of the budget. Speaking on VOC Breakfast on Thursday morning, Roodt said this is the first time he has seen a budget speech being postponed. “The financial […]

20 February 2025

Local

Economist predicts tax increases ahead of budget speech

Ahead of Wednesday’s 2025 national budget speech, economists believe that the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana should prioritise economic growth as the South African economy continues a downward trajectory. Speaking on VOC Breakfast on Tuesday Dawie Roodt founder, Director and Chief Economist of the Efficient Group said the minister is limited in terms of what he can do to improve economic growth. “The economy is an important aspect to look […]

18 February 2025

Local

SONA 2025: Economists predict the implementation of the basic income grant

Political stability after the general elections in 2024, low inflation, declining interest rates, and a steady supply of electricity appear to have done the task of boosting economic confidence, however Dawie Roodt, Founder, Director and Chief Economist of the Efficient Group said President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana have to work hand in hand to ensure a better economic outlook. Speaking to VOC News ahead of […]

5 February 2025

Local

Economists cautiously optimistic about South Africa’s 2025 growth

Economists remain cautiously optimistic about South Africa’s economic growth prospects for the coming year. However, they warn that global and geopolitical events, particularly in the United States, could pose significant challenges. Economist Dawie Roodt shared his insights, highlighting some positive trends. “There are a couple of pluses that I am fairly sure of. One is that inflation is relatively low. Inflation is currently well below the midpoint of the Reserve […]

2 January 2025

Local

Economists says government must tackle municipal debt to boast economic growth

Economists believe that government debt is alarmingly high and rising faster than economic growth. Speaking on VOC Breakfast, Economists Ulrich Joubert said the minster’s speech tackled top priorities such as the economic outlook, taxation, job creation, and the energy crisis. “The speech was both positive and negative. We saw that the economic growth lowered to 1.1% which means we will see slower growth. Our current debt is a huge problem, […]

31 October 2024

Local

Economist says defining the middle class is not just income based

By Loushe Jordaan Gilbert As South Africans try to make ends meet, middle-class employees are also feeling the pinch of the ever-increasing cost of living, coupled with unstable fuel prices. In 2023, research from the Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing at the University of Cape Town revealed that a household or individual in South Africa would need to earn about R22,000 per month to be considered middle class. Speaking on […]

11 October 2024

Local

Economists warn of another electricity tariff increase

By Loushe Jordaan Gilbert Come next month, Eskom employees will be smiling a bit more as all non-managerial employees will see a 7% salary increase for the next three years. Chief economist of the Efficient Group Dawie Roodt, said he is shocked at this news, especially as the utility already has existing debt of about R420 billion. “I am shocked to the core. They are increasing salaries when they have […]

19 June 2023

News

Economist’s Views on Transnet Strike

By Lee-Yandra Paulsen The organised labour at Transnet is in a very powerful position, for various reasons one being that some of them are indirectly involved in government. As COSATU is part of the tripartite alliance. This is according to Dawie Roodt an economist, who was a guest on Friday morning’s VOC Breakfast. He spoke about the impact the Transnet strike has on the South African economy. “They are in […]

14 October 2022

economist

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