The rand raced to R15.35 to the US dollar as Russia’s attack on Ukraine roiled markets. Russia has started its “war of aggression” in the early hours of this morning with a “full-scale invasion of Ukraine”, with pleas from Ukraine’s foreign ministry for the world to “act now” to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin. But …
All eyes will be on Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana this afternoon when he delivers his maiden Budget Speech against the backdrop of record-high unemployment, an unprecedented high debt-to-GDP ratio, muted investments, and an already ailing economy that has been further constrained by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the unrest in July last year. His task in explaining how ever-increasing debt repayment …
To lighten the mood on this heavy Tuesday, here’s an (in)significant titbit. Today the world hits an “unprecedented milestone” that carries absolutely no historical significance or any cosmic message. Yet it does speak volumes about our brains and cultures, writes The Conversation as it unpacks the meaning of Twosday, so dubbed because of the date 22/2/22. On …
While you were asleep: 22/2/22 lightens the mood as world (and markets) readies for war Read More »
Credit Suisse is in the news again. For all the wrong reasons. From an internal spying scandal and the resignation of its chairman over flouting coronavirus rules to being a bank for dictators, drug lords and criminals. A massive data leak reported on by dozens of media outlets across five continents much like the Panama Papers-style investigations into the data, exposes the details …
Seeing that it’s Friday, here’s some news for discussion over the weekend with family and friends. When does Elon Musk not get in trouble for using his Twitter account to espouse his worldview? This time, the South African-born tech billionaire is in hot water for comparing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Adolf Hitler. Where …
While you were asleep: Elon Musk’s Twitter account lands him in trouble, again Read More »
Every day hundreds of millions of people are denied their right to be human as a result of poverty and the unavailability of basic necessities such as food, jobs, water, shelter, education, healthcare and a healthy environment, the late, former president Nelson Mandela said almost a quarter-century ago. Never has this been more true for our …
Former health minister Zweli Mkhize is making headlines again and it’s for all the wrong reasons. Mkhize is featured in a new report where he is said to have scored a luxury property thanks to a R1.37 billion Public Investment Corporation (PIC) deal that saw the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), which supplied the money, lose …
While you were asleep: The hits keep on coming for Zweli Mkhize Read More »
It has happened. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s failure to act has caught up to him. The official opposition, the Democratic Alliance’s John Steenhuisen has not minced his words when he tabled a vote of no confidence in Ramaphosa’s cabinet on day one of the parliamentary debate on the State of the Nation Address Ramaphosa delivered on 10 February. The …
There is no love lost between the US and its allies and Russia, and President Joe Biden’s failure to woo his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to pull back some 130,000 troops massed near Ukraine has sent the world starting a countdown to war. Russia has accused the US of stoking hysteria. Bloomberg reports that while Ukraine says it …
While you were asleep: Reaching out to Russia, with love Read More »
Dressed in a suit and shirt made locally by the Foschini Group and leather shoes from businesses based in Cape Town and Pietermaritzburg, President Cyril Ramaphosa touted the need to buy locally produced products in his State of the Nation Address on Thursday evening. Localisation was one of the key points on the president’s agenda …
While you were asleep: Here’s what Ramaphosa said in his SONA speech Read More »
