Tag: unemployment

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.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept or a luxury reserved for tech giants. It has become essential across industries. For many of us, it’s a tool we simply can’t live without. The ride-hailing sector is no different. AI is redefining customer service, trust, operational efficiency and even how we think about growth itself.

South Africa’s unemployment crisis is a national tragedy. Stats SA in the final Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for 2024 confirmed the scale of the challenge - too many are seeking work and finding only frustration. But what if this crisis could be rebranded as an opportunity? What if there’s a way to equip jobless South Africans with the skills they need to build real careers, even if it means setting them up to look for overseas opportunities first?

South Africa has been crowned the friendliest country in the world in a recent global study by international money transfer service Remitly. Now isn’t that some incredibly positive news that we can all do with! While this news has been met with both celebration and scepticism, it raises a powerful question: What does this kind of international recognition mean for South Africa’s reputation?

South Africa is undermining its own growth if it doesn’t consider the meaningful impact of private institutions in solving capacity constraints in higher education. The oversubscribed demand for public universities reflects a far more profound systemic issue.

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.

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) in South Africa has risen to R28.79 per hour, effective 1 March 2025. This 4.38% increase from the previous rate of R27.58 reflects the government’s commitment to improving workers' livelihoods. However, it also poses significant challenges for businesses, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which are already grappling with a rising cost of living alongside a sluggish economy.

The rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is transforming workplaces around the world. South Africa is no exception to this trend. As businesses adapt to new ways of working, job seekers are also rethinking their careers. They are upskilling and negotiating better opportunities in response to the evolving job landscape.

South Africa continues to grapple with high unemployment. Businesses must embrace data-driven hiring practices to make informed decisions. This is crucial to secure top talent.

The South African retail landscape faces a range of challenges, including high unemployment, severe inflation, shrinkflation and the lingering effects of COVID-19. These pressures have reshaped consumer expectations and added layers of complexity to their shopping decisions.