Despite criticism from the IMF, Pretoria has defended its currency against speculators – unlike some of the Asian Tigers
In the run-up to the annual International Monetary Fund and World Bank meeting in Hong Kong, China, on 23-25 September, two issues have dominated the South African economy. These are external criticism, by the IMF, of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB)'s intervention to protect the rand and internal criticism of government policy from mainstream business, especially of high interest rates, and from the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) on the rush to 'liberalisation'. The IMF's criticism of SARB Governor Chris Stals looks like a storm in a tea cup.
The defence industry wants politicians – even Nelson Mandela – to become arms salesmen
Defence Minister Joe Modise wants to buy new equipment for the South African National Defence Force, which he says is in decline. Finance Minister Trevor Manuel counters that the m...
The government is now beginning to feel the pain of indulging its sweet tooth
There is no likelihood in the near future that the International Monetary Fund will resume lending from its US$220 million balance of payments support. The Kenya government has tri...
