Biznews 1st June 2018 Investor apathy is not a cause but a symptom. There would be a resounding investment boom if the country was expected to achieve broad prosperity over the next two or even three decades. Yet not for ten minutes has SA ever been on such a path. The problems stem from misguided…Continue reading Getting to the core of our rulers’ economic beliefs

Politicsweb.co.za 31 May 2018 Shawn Hagedorn says their current apathy is a symptom not a cause of our economic malaise Hinting at deeper issues, S&P’s recently highlighted its concerns about SA’s stagnant per capita income. Somewhat similarly, President Ramaphosa’s investment drive will likely soon show SA needs not a “new dawn” but a “great awakening”.…Continue reading Investors want to invest

Politicsweb.co.za 20 April 2018 Shawn Hagedorn writes on the challenge facing President Ramaphosa’s new economic advisor Can Ramaphosa’s new economic adviser deliver workable policies? Trudi Makhaya’s writings and credentials, along with her relative youth, confirm that she is a superb choice to advise President Ramaphosa on fixing the economy. Yet blocking her success is nothing…Continue reading Can Trudi Makhaya deliver workable policies?

Politicsweb.co.za 26 March 2018 Shawn Hagedorn says presuming Ramaphosa has a long-term plan reflects wishful thinking Presuming that President Ramaphosa has a long-term plan reflects wishful thinking. Long-standing societal inequities provoke counterproductive policies entrenching pervasive poverty. Bleak prospects then inspire populist initiatives, such as “expropriation without compensation” (EWC), making adequate growth more elusive still. Breaking…Continue reading Economic reality vs. delusional politics

Biznews 9th March 2018 The Expropriation without compensation (EWC) debate reflects a dysfunctional national dialogue as does the lack of acknowledgment that SA has never had a growth plan that could achieve broad prosperity. SA’s politics will not spur adequate structural reforms without the national dialogue being reconstituted. Might the EWC threat unleash a freshly realistic reassessment…Continue reading India’s pummelling of poverty provides lessons for SA

Politicsweb.co.za  08 March 2018 The EWC threat evidences a dysfunctional national dialogue The Expropriation without compensation (EWC) debate reflects a dysfunctional national dialogue as does the lack of acknowledgment that SA has never had a growth plan that could achieve broad prosperity. SA’s politics will not spur adequate structural reforms without the national dialogue being…Continue reading Hitting rock bottom with EWC

Politicsweb.co.za 1 February 2018 Shawn Hagedorn says bank’s business model may be profitable, but it is unsustainable for SA Just as I had submitted an article arguing that SA’s economic policies should focus on reducing the country’s massive poverty through pursuing a commercially astute regulatory environment, Viceroy released their seemingly sloppy report about Capitec. The…Continue reading The real problem with Capitec

Politicsweb.co.za 30 January 2018 Shawn Hagedorn says finding a path towards high job creating growth is essential One metric makes SA manageable SA’s politics-meets-economics dialogue is too distorted by unrealistic social justice notions to identify appropriate goals, policies, and progress metrics. The new ANC president must assertively chart a course and determine how best to…Continue reading If Ramaphosa fails

Politicsweb.co.za 2 January 2018 Shawn Hagedorn says the country’s future prosperity requires a turn from patrimonialism SA’s leaders must genuinely engage university students Jacob Zuma’s final gambit as ANC President was to breed divisiveness through politicising the plight of SA’s low-income, high achieving students. As Cyril Ramaphosa, the party’s new leader, proposes creating a broad…Continue reading What university students need to know

Politicsweb.co.za 12 January 2018 Shawn Hagedorn says external pressure needed for ANC president to overcome internal opposition SA’s necessary grand compromise What do you do if you suddenly become the head of an evangelical church built on teachings which benefit the church’s elites at the expense of the congregation? The teachings must change. But for…Continue reading Ramaphosa has to go for growth