Media

Theft of metals costs SA billions

August 24, 2022

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Ebrahim Patel will brief Parliament on the draft policy proposals on scrap metals. To talk about what the government can do to fight cable theft. Professor Miriam Altman, an economic adviser and member of the National Planning Commission speaks to #eNCA Courtesy #DStv403

Energy emergency faces political inertia

July 26, 2022

While the country is in the grip of this 15 year-long energy crisis, there is another even slower burning and longer running crisis that we have committed to tackle and that is climate change.

Workers’ Day | SA universities teaches 4IR skills

May 4, 2022

A lot has been said about the fourth Industrial revolution and how its technologies are already changing the way we work and live. Miriam Altman, professor in 4IR at the School of Economics at the University of Johannesburg speaks to #eNCA Courtesy #DStv403

Unpacking infrastructure planning and delivery

April 28, 2022

With the increased focus on a nationally co-ordinated effort to support the government’s drive to reignite SA’s economy and place it on a sustainable and inclusive broad-based growth path, infrastructure development is critical.

Transformation in the digital sector

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa collected R14.4bn in revenue from the auction of spectrum. Companies that qualified for the bidding process were well-established enterprises, without any new or unknown players making the cut. There has been an outcry that the process didn’t benefit South Africa’s transformation agenda, with some saying that it excluded black-owned businesses. 4IR Professor of Practice at the University of Johannesburg, Dr. Miriam Altman, weighs in on transformation in the digital sector. Tune into Newzroom Afrika, DStv Channel 405, for more details.

Is SA ready to create its own 24-hour metros?

March 31, 2022

Dr Miriam Altman, former national planning commissioner and director of Altman Advisory speaks to Refilwe Moloto about how well set South Africa’s metros are to become 24-hour city’s like global icons, New York and London.

Budget Review – Good, Bad And Ugly

February 24, 2022

The market reaction to the budget tells you everything. Much of the good news priced in. But as the Budget review reminds us It’s important to remember how we got here – and to ensure that history does not repeat itself. From 2008/09, South Africa experienced more than a decade of stagnating economic growth, weighed down by longstanding structural constraints. At the same time, state capture drained the country’s confidence and resources. A series of economic shocks and unbudgeted expenditures resulted in a massive deterioration of the public finances. And then came COVID‐19. Let’s welcome our panel to review the budget after the dust has settled: • Mamello Matikinca, Chief Economist at FNB • Dr Miriam Altman, economist and professor of 4IR at UJ, • Peter Attard Montalto, Head of Capital Markets Research at Intellidex • Mathew Parks, parliamentary coordinator for Cosatu

How will the Budget Speech 2022 affect ordinary South Africans in their daily lives

February 23, 2022

Economist Sifiso Skenjana, Senior Lecturer at Regenesys Business School Annatjie van Rooyen, Professor at University of Johannesburg’s College of Business & Economics Dr Miriam Altman, and South African United Business Confederation CEO Jackie Mpondo Hendricks weigh in on #BudgetSpeech2022. Tune into Newzroom Afrika, DSTV channel 405 for more details.

WATCH: Budget 2022 preview

February 22, 2022

What do they say about statistics being like bikinis, conspicuous for what they conceal more than reveal? One could argue the same thing about South Africa’s recent revenue windfall, which, to some, will paper over the cracks in SA’s fiscal position. But peel away that temporary largess and the facts are stark. We spend 12.7c of every rand collected in taxes on serving government’s ballooning debt. Along with over 33c paying government wages and another 20c on social grants. That leaves roughly 34 cents to spend on everything else. If this was your household and you were paying your children a fifth of your salary to live with you after school, a third of your salary on your household staff and borrowing to fund the monthly groceries and paying 12% of your salary to service your credit card, you’d be sent to debt counselling. But more than that the country finds itself on the horns of a political dilemma hitherto unseen in the democratic era. Record unemployment, social unrest, and insurrection ride roughshod over confidence and the reform train while moving has yet to gather the required momentum to convince markets that South Africa is a welcome place for investment. Let’s welcome our panel to preview the budget Mamello Matikinca, Chief Economist at FNB; Dr Miriam Altman, economist and professor of 4IR at UJ; Peter Attard Montalto, Head of Capital Markets Research and Intellidex & Mathew Parks, parliamentary coordinator for Cosatu