IT WAS sad to see the Sunday Times name South African President Jacob Zuma its 2014 Mampara of the Year.
Some 90% of the newspaper’s readers voted for the man from Nkandla to be named South Africa’s King of Fools. Despite a proven bounce-back-ability, you’ve got to wonder how Zuma’s reputation will recover.
Perhaps we should blame his misfortune on economists.
Throughout history, it has been the duty of economists to convince politicians why their nations cannot have both guns and butter; high social grants and low tax; higher employment and inflexible labour laws.
Or, in a local context, support a $20m upgrade to your private homestead and expect disciplined State spending.
South African economists have clearly not been heard. Maybe they can try harder, or differently, in 2015.
Some of the comments posted on Alec Hogg’s Facebook Page
Rand - Dollar
19.01
+1.1%
Rand - Pound
23.78
+0.7%
Rand - Euro
20.39
+0.8%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.39
+0.8%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+1.2%
Platinum
923.50
+1.2%
Palladium
989.50
-1.5%
Gold
2,333.12
+0.8%
Silver
27.37
+0.8%
Brent Crude
88.02
-0.5%
Top 40
68,437
-0.2%
All Share
74,329
-0.3%
Resource 10
62,119
+2.8%
Industrial 25
102,531
-1.4%
Financial 15
15,802
-0.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes
Government tenders
Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders