Editor’s take: Mining to the rescue

As the world and South Africa brace for soaring oil prices following the US-Israel-Iran conflict, the future is looking increasingly bleak. By the second week of March, oil prices surged over 20% to pass $100 a barrel.  Referencing the conflict, Dr Azar Jammine, Chief Economist at Econometrix, a keynote speaker at the recently held Afrisam Budget Breakdown Breakfast, advised that imminent shortages of supply are going to change the global environment in a significant way, with the price of goods and services set to soar, and “as a consequence, interest rates around the world may not come down to the extent that we anticipated”.

Editor’s take: Stronger together: Progress through partnerships

China just delivered a masterclass in How toWin Friends with its announcement that starting May 1, 2026, it will implement a zero-tariff policy on 100% of tariff lines for imports from 53 African nations. This major initiative expands previous limited duty-free access, aiming to balance trade deficits, boost African exports, and enhance economic partnerships.

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.”