24 NOVEMBER 2015 – 07:55 Consumption lending is holding back growth, writes Shawn Hagedorn SA’s economy will struggle to average even 1% or 2% annual growth on a per capita basis in the next several years because its three primary sources of growth have been overwhelmed. Growing value-added exports will be more elusive than ever,…Continue reading Not loan sharks but piranhas

19 OCTOBER 2015 – 07:59 Much of sub-Saharan Africa will be endangered by ghost-town economics as the global economy shifts away from coal and other commodities. China must reassess relations with Africa and restructure its engagement modus operandi with sub-Saharan African resource suppliers to benefit all, writes Shawn Hagedorn IT IS tempting to believe that,…Continue reading Commodities rout will hit SA hard

04 SEPTEMBER 2015 – 07:55 SA’s policies stand in opposition to how prosperity is advanced in the 21st century, writes Shawn Hagedorn SOME of today’s most heralded economists insist that the global economy exited the Great Recession mutating towards a “new normal”. Yet, as China’s economy slows and rebalances, it is becoming clear that its…Continue reading New normal economics elude SA

2nd September 2015 SA’s economy desperately needs a new growth path yet the nation’s policy makers, reflecting a political-economy captured by Tripartite Alliance priorities, compound already complex challenges by indulging industrial fantasies. Lacking a workable vision and adequate implementation capacity, the vague notion is floated of emphasising small business expansion programmes. Masquerading small businesses development…Continue reading SA’s new growth path – global integration, regional teamwork

19th August 2015 Skilled professionals continue to depart beautiful and temperate South Africa for Dubai and Abu Dhabi. How is this explained? For Asians unaffiliated with SA’s history or ethnic groups, it is easy to see that the Suez Canal, built 150 years ago and recently expanded, limits SA’s current potential at least as much…Continue reading Escaping SA’s poverty trap requires global integration

12 AUGUST 2015 – 07:58 The state’s ‘working together’ slogan — seen behind President Jacob Zuma and Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande — doesn’t apply to big busin As SA’s economic trajectory risks large-scale political upheaval, prescribed asset requirements could be an acceptable option, writes Shawn Hagedorn SA’s policy options are narrowing as lower commodity…Continue reading Could prescribed assets save us?

22 JULY 2015 – 08:03 Like Kodak which was unable to adapt to a changing operating environment, the ANC’s misalignment with changing economic realities has been steering the economy into a cul-de-sac. Picture: REUTERS/CARLO ALLEGRI Misaligned party heading for fate like film maker’s, writes Shawn Hagedorn DIGITAL photography did not displace film unexpectedly. Consumers abandoned…Continue reading Kodak moment may elude ANC

10 JUNE 2015 – 09:08 We are all products of successful cultures — and yet global developments point to none of today’s cultures being well suited to the future, says the writer. Picture: GCIS Clinging to past practices tempts disaster, writes Shawn Hagedorn SHORTLY after the Second World War, many of the world’s top universities…Continue reading Progress demands a culture change