Viewpoint

In South Africa, the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to public sanitation has proven inadequate in addressing the unique needs of informal settlements. Informal settlements continue to grow, and residents are increasingly seeking in-house sanitation solutions that provide privacy and dignity.

South Africa needs urgently to reflect on a landmark legislative initiative that is unfolding in the United States of America. Designed to curtail the expansive authority of federal agencies which can issue economically significant regulations without congressional approval, this effort marks a pivotal attempt by American lawmakers to reclaim their constitutionally enshrined role as the nation’s primary lawmakers.

On 4 April 2025, the South Africa Transmission Infrastructure Investment Forum brought together key decision-makers. These included the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, as well as industry leaders, financiers and developers.

Some months ago, I exchanged views with Buddy Wells, one of South Africa’s more vocal supporters of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). In our debate, he argued a familiar point. According to him, governments can print money to employ the jobless without causing inflation, as long as those being hired are not already doing anything useful.

The debate surrounding the labour rights of sex workers remains one of the most polarising issues in modern international labour law. Belgium's recent decision to grant comprehensive labour protection to sex workers has been hailed by many as a human rights victory. However, others caution that it introduces complex social and moral dilemmas.

The National Housing Act should be amended to address mass unlawful land occupation in South Africa. During my doctoral research in public law, I came to realise that the legal tools currently available are not working. The system is failing both landowners and the thousands of people occupying land unlawfully, not because they want to, but because they have no other choice.

The charts below, and others like them, are frequently used online and in presentations by economist and author Stephanie Kelton. She uses them to support the Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) claim that, contrary to conventional wisdom, government deficits are not harmful. Instead, she argues they represent a gain to the economy.

We have announced 16 May 2025 as this year’s Tax Freedom Day: the moment when hardworking South Africans finally stop toiling to pay their taxes, and start earning for themselves. We have marked this day since 1997 to shine a light on the tax burden shouldered by ordinary taxpayers. Tax Freedom Day on 16 May means that the average South African has laboured 136 days – over a third of the year – to fund government spending.

It is often purported that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. My online debate with South African Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) advocate, Buddy Wells, made me think about this wise saying. Mr Wells, of whom I have grown fond since our first interaction on X and who has been nothing but cordial in our debates, argued that following the policy prescriptions of MMT, the SA government can issue more currency to build more schools and employ more teachers.

Modern monetary theorists argue that nations with monetary sovereignty can never run out of money to fund projects. They can always issue more currency whenever they need it.