Most South Africans agree that last year was a tough one financially – and the bad news is that it’s not going to get any better soon, according to Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt. The slow growth, high unemployment rate and rising levels of poverty are the result of political decisions, he believes, so we’ll have to see what the next general election in 2024 holds to see whether our lot improves. – Sandra Laurence

South Africa should buckle up for a tough 2023

By Dawie Roodt

Efficient Group founder and chief economist Dawie Roodt said South Africans should expect the tough economic conditions to continue this year.

South Africa is suffering economically with slow growth, high unemployment, and rising levels of poverty. He said the main reason for South Africa’s economic hardship is political and the wrong macroeconomic policies chosen by the government.

The government’s poor performance leads to weak economic growth, which in turn results in a lack of job creation and increased poverty.

An increase in food prices, which has been the case in South Africa over the last year, has greatly impacted many people living close to the poverty line.

To resolve these problems, economic growth is needed. The bad news for South Africans is that the country’s economic conditions are unlikely to change in the short term.

Roodt said to grow the economy is simple and straightforward. However, politics is standing in the way of good economic policies. “Our political problems are not going to be resolved before the general election in 2024,” he said.

“Only then will the financial markets and investors decide whether they like the new government and policies. So, for the next eighteen months, not much will change in terms of economic activity in South Africa.”

Roodt said South Africans should realise the country is facing challenges and advised them to identify their industry’s risks.

They should manage the risks and be prudent in budgeting and making plans to mitigate the impact of these risks.

Read more;-

• SA economy is likely in a technical recession
• Eskom jitters move World Bank to cut SA economic growth outlook to under 1%
• SA’s fragile coalitions hindered by the “poverty of multiparty democracy”