Tag: University of Witwatersrand (Wits)

It is no secret that government leaders have access to increased power in light of COVID-19. Constitutional institutions such as parliament, which are supposed to provide oversight, have taken a backseat. The pandemic is unprecedented as it is not only a health issue, but also a socioeconomic and security threat. But at what cost does ‘securing the threat’ come?

South African competition law is highly regarded internationally. In 2018, the Global Competition Review (GCR) ranked the Competition Commission as the best regulator globally. With such praise, one would expect the economy to be the most competitive in the world. This is not the case. Instead, South Africa ranks very poorly in the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of the World report, which measures the freedom of economies globally with standards like regulatory burden, property rights protection, intervention and the general ease of opening and doing business in a country.

The time of cruise control in the noncommittal middle lane of environmental choices for value chains is over as solutions that make sense for the planet and business prove their worth. One such case was unlocked when Wits and Cambridge University academics piloted a study that proved a reduction in fuel and CO2 emissions in switching to green tyres.

The coronavirus is an opportunity to end the war with nature. It's a moment to be humble and realise our finitude in a wondrous and infinite natural order. COVID-19 pushed an already weak and crisis-ridden global economy over the edge. Massive value has been erased from crashing stock market prices. Many commentators have talked about the return of economic conditions similar to the great financial crash of 2007-2009.

This century belongs to the African philanthropists, whose capital, influence, local knowledge, and moral authority have the power to address pressing challenges that face the continent.