Tag: Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Medical aid contribution increases for 2026 are generally lower than the sharp hikes seen in 2025. This offers some relief to members after last year’s double-digit adjustments.

In the wake of the rapidly evolving digital landscape, retailers are continuously confronted with a myriad of software solutions. Implementing these systems often requires a considerable investment of resources, frequently resulting in a patchwork of fragmented systems and siloed operations.

People are worrying about a global recession and with good reason. But what if the factors driving rising prices are beyond the limits of policymakers’ control? I discuss what central bankers’ next move might be, what markets are pricing in and what the probability of a recession is.

It’s that time again, early in the new year, when we are speculating as to what 2022 may hold, in this case for the property part of the South African economy. In a still-weak, albeit improved, economy with rising interest rates, property market fireworks don’t appear to be on the cards this year.

Despite perceiving the overall risks to CPI as on the upside, all five members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 3.5%. The repo rate has been on this level since 23 July 2020.

All five members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 3,5%. It has been on this level since 23 July 2020. The MPC viewed the overall risks to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) outlook to be on the upside compared to balanced in the March 2021 statement. This means the MPC’s interest rate outlook is more hawkish.

There is a distinct lack of good news at the moment, and certainty is in short supply. The coronavirus is spreading rapidly in Europe, the Middle East and North America, and we have to assume it will continue spreading at a rapid rate.

Medical aids all have a ‘medical aid rate’, which is a maximum amount they will pay for certain treatments. This rate differs depending on the medical cover you have, but is typically a maximum of 200% of their scheme rate.