Editor’s take: BRICS and mo, ta!  

What a time to be alive – front row seats as geopolitical tensions reshape the world economy. In all this mayhem, the BRICS alliance has done the unthinkable – introduced an alternative currency to the dollar – for more than five decades, the world has been forced to rely on the dollar as a reserve currency, but not for much longer. At the end of October last year, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) launched the Unit, a gold-backed prototype released on a pilot programme. The Unit aims to reduce dollar reliance through a basket of gold and member currencies for trade settlement. The recent pilot marks a tangible early stage move towards an alternative financial system within the expanded BRICS+bloc.

Editor’s take: 2026 – Are you ready to fire on all cylinders?

Having struggled through 2025, are you ready for the Year of the Fire Horse, which, according to the Chinese astrology, is expected to bring sweeping changes, rapid developments, and a strong push for liberation, innovation, and self-expression. In 2026, South Africans can expect potential economic and personal growth opportunities, driven by a cautiously improving economy, the potential for a stronger Rand after exiting the Financial Action Task Force Grey List, and interest rate cuts. 

While the IMF pegs South Africa’s economic growth rate at 1.2% year-on-year, for 2026, Investec is more upbeat forecasting a growth rate of 1.5% year-on-year. Moody's is even more positive, forecasting growth to double to 1.6%, driven by ongoing structural reforms, particularly in logistics.

Editor’s take: Shaping the world

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 has been awarded to Venezuela’s Maria Corina Machado for promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. Venezuela has evolved from a democratic country to an authoritarian state that is now suffering a humanitarian and economic crisis. According to the Nobel Prize organisation, Machado has been steadfast in her support for a peaceful transition to democracy. “Maria Corina Machado has shown that the tools of democracy are also the tools of peace. She embodies the hope of a different future, one where the fundamental rights of citizens are protected, and their voices are heard. In this future, people will finally be free to live in peace.”

Editor’s take: Miners making big moves

What a great time to be opening a new gold mine. The precious metal is blazing and breaking price barriers to trade at all-time highs. Australian miner, West Wits Mining, which plans to open South Africa’s first new underground gold mine in 15 years, has initiated pre-production works, engaged a mining contractor and is moving key equipment to site. The company will begin output next year at its Qala Shallows project, located on the western edge of Johannesburg. The $90 million project is projected to produce about 70 000 ounces of gold annually.

Editor’s take: SA seeks new avenues of trade

US President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs are wreaking havoc across the globe.  South Africa has been hit with a 30% tariff - this affects the agriculture (citrus, wine, nuts), automotive manufacturing, metals, and agro processing segments. America is South Africa’s third biggest trading partner after China and the EU, accounting for 7.5% of South Africa’s global exports.   According to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), significant progress has been made in opening vast new markets like China and Thailand (securing vital protocols for products like citrus and others); with inroads into high-growth markets across Asia and the Middle East, including the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and several Trade and Investment Packages inked with a number of countries, including Japan.