Statistics SA published South Africa’s GDP dataset for the first quarter of 2025 in June. Although year-on-year economic growth remained positive, the performance was disappointing, with a fifth successive GDP growth rate of less than one per cent being recorded.

On 21 May, millions worldwide were glued to their TV sets in anticipation of the well-publicised meeting between the president of the most powerful country in the world and the head of state of the African continent's largest and most diversified economy.

It took the National Treasury a while to appreciate the reality of being part of a government of national unity (GNU). This means that its most crucial task, preparing the national budget, should be conducted so that all the new government members have ample time to make spending and revenue decisions.

Dr. Roelof Botha, esteemed economist and economic adviser to APS Africa and the Optimum Investment Group, shares his insights on the current economic landscape.