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The document argues that planned budget cuts in South Africa are misguided and dangerous, potentially slowing economic growth and undermining social protection. The authors contend that the current 'fiscal crisis' is manageable through alternative measures, such as drawing on reserves, increasing short-term borrowing, and raising revenue from high earners and corporate tax adjustments, rather than indiscriminate spending cuts.

The author contends that South Africa is failing to realize its economic potential due to policies that promote financialization and austerity over productive growth and social support. The text highlights the extreme wealth inequality in the country and criticizes the National Treasury's opposition to extending the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. It argues that the current fiscal challenges are manageable and that austerity is counterproductive to growth, suggesting instead a model of decisive political leadership and state-led development to avoid a 'social cliff'.

The Public Affairs Research Institute and Corruption Watch argue that the Draft National State Enterprises Bill 2023 fails to provide adequate safeguards against political interference in the appointment of state-owned enterprise (SOE) boards. They propose adapting the Zondo Commission's recommendations by establishing a statutory 'integrity' appointment and oversight committee to vet candidates for the proposed holding company. The authors further contend that the Bill lacks clear timelines for transferring entities to the holding company and fails to provide the comprehensive primary legislation needed to resolve systemic governance failures in South Africa's SOEs.

The submission argues that the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill [B23 – 2023] lacks sufficient provisions for a just transition, energy decentralisation, and transparency. It specifically criticises the potential for grid privatisation through wheeling agreements, the lack of regulatory support for energy storage and small-scale embedded generation (SSEG), and the expansion of Ministerial discretion over the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and procurement processes. The authors also object to proposed confidentiality clauses that could limit public access to licence applications and call for stronger public participation requirements aligned with PAJA and PAIA.

Natural Justice argues that nuclear energy is an economically unviable and environmentally dangerous alternative to renewable energy in South Africa. The commentary contends that the National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill encourages investment in a sector characterized by high costs, long lead times, and significant waste management risks. It specifically criticizes the extensive powers granted to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, citing the Department's poor track record in rehabilitating abandoned mines as evidence that it cannot be trusted to manage nuclear decommissioning and waste. The authors advocate for decentralized renewable energy solutions, such as solar and wind, to address load shedding and rural energy access.

The Institute for Economic Justice argues that South Africa is not facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis, despite claims from the National Treasury. While revenue for 2023/24 is projected to grow by only 0.55% (missing targets by R54.2-billion) and spending is expected to exceed budgets by between R67.8-billion and R105.8-billion, the document asserts these deviations are consistent with historical norms. It contends that the overspend results from inadequate planning, specifically regarding public sector wages and essential social services. With a debt-to-GDP ratio of 71.4% in 2022/23, the document claims South Africa's debt levels are in line with emerging market averages, although debt service costs remain unusually high. The authors warn that austerity measures and budget cuts would hamper economic growth and increase long-term debt vulnerability, recommending instead a developmental fiscal policy focused on employment, poverty reduction, and productive capacity.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) argues that South Africa's projected budget deficit of 6.29% for 2023/24 is within historical norms and does not constitute a financial crisis. The IEJ estimates a revenue shortfall of R52.4 billion and an expenditure overrun between R67.9 billion and R105.8 billion, the latter driven largely by a R37.5 billion public sector wage bill increase. To close this gap without resorting to GDP-contracting budget cuts, the IEJ proposes utilizing the Reserve Bank's Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account, increasing short-term borrowing, and raising revenue by removing tax breaks for high-income earners and corporates. The IEJ warns that fiscal contractions larger than 1.5% of GDP can lead to long-term negative effects on GDP and urges the protection of social programmes like the Social Relief of Distress grant.

The document argues that while African leaders remain committed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a tool for transformative growth, its actual implementation is stalled due to unresolved technical details, primarily rules of origin. Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the agreement has maintained political momentum, with 44 AU member states having ratified it by February 2022. However, the transition from negotiation to operational trade has been slow, with only a small number of symbolic shipments occurring. The authors suggest that regional economic powers, such as Kenya and South Africa, should provide leadership through concessions and collaboration on technical rules to unlock the agreement and stimulate continental industrialization.

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) issued by GreenCape seeks a service provider to develop the system requirements and solution architecture for an online platform designed to address skills priorities in the renewable energy sector. Funded by UK Pact, the platform aims to connect industry, Post School and Education Training (PSET) institutions, and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) to align graduate skills with industry competency needs.

The research identifies a fragmented system of unstable governance in South African school education, where local unionists, district officials, and community members collude to secure preferential access to 'promotional' posts and school budgets, reflecting broader state-society relations in the country.

The report examines the nature of parliamentary oversight in South Africa, assessing how well the legislature scrutinises executive action and exploring ways to enhance accountability. It utilizes a variety of sources, including jurisprudence, Zondo Commission testimonies, and interviews with MPs and staff. The research specifically considers the implications of South Africa's 7th Parliament and the first grand coalition (GNU) on oversight and lawmaking, while drawing on lessons from previous parliaments to improve institutional effectiveness.

Global power sector emissions plateaued in the first half of 2023 at 5,795 million tonnes of CO2, a slight increase of 0.2% over the previous year. While emissions fell significantly in high-income economies like the EU (-17%) and US (-8.6%), they rose in China (+7.9%) and India (+3.7%). A historic 8.5% decline in global hydro generation, largely driven by droughts in China, prevented a larger drop in emissions by forcing a reliance on fossil fuels. Wind and solar increased their global electricity share to 14.3%, though their growth rates (10% for wind and 16% for solar) remained below the IEA's net zero scenario requirements. Global electricity demand grew by only 0.4%, hampered by demand falls in the EU, Japan, the US, and South Korea.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) asserts that South Africa's current revenue shortfall and expenditure overspend are within historical norms and do not constitute a 'fiscal crisis'. The IEJ estimates a revenue shortfall of R67.2 billion and an expenditure overspend of R67.9 billion for 2023/24, noting that the debt-to-GDP ratio of 71.4% in 2022/23 is comparable to the emerging market average of 69%. The document warns that indiscriminate budget cuts exceeding 1.5% of GDP could cause significant economic contraction. To resolve budget mismatches without austerity, the IEJ suggests utilizing the Reserve Bank’s Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account, increasing short-term borrowing, removing tax breaks for high-income earners and corporates, and restructuring Eskom debt.

This policy brief by the Institute for Economic Justice argues that the 'fiscal crisis' reported by South Africa's National Treasury is exaggerated for political reasons and can be managed without destructive budget cuts, while warning that long-term sustainability depends on economic expansion.

This document is a PAIA Manual published in October 2023 by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), a non-profit law clinic based in Cape Town. The manual outlines the procedures and categories of information available to the public in accordance with the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA) and the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA), ensuring transparency and the exercise of environmental rights.

Global Energy Monitor identifies nearly 2.7 million coal miners worldwide, with the majority in Asia. The report warns that 414,200 jobs could be lost by 2035 and 990,200 by 2050 due to the industry's own 'life of mine' closure schedules, regardless of climate policies. It highlights that current climate pledges cover only 6% of the thermal coal workforce, leaving millions vulnerable. The report emphasizes the need for just transition mechanisms, such as the Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs), and suggests bridging employment through mine reclamation and renewable energy repurposing.

The Universal Basic Income Coalition (UBIC) advocates for a rights-based social protection floor in South Africa, specifically a universal basic income (UBI) for adults aged 18-59. The coalition argues that current systems leave a gap for able-bodied working-age adults, contributing to extreme poverty and inequality. They propose a grant that is universal, unconditional, and redistributive, funded through progressive taxation rather than regressive measures like VAT. The UBIC suggests a progressive realization of this goal, starting with the expansion of the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, with the ultimate target of pegging the grant value to the Upper Bound Poverty Line (UBPL). They emphasize that UBI should be an individual rather than household-based payment to protect women's autonomy and should be part of a broader wellbeing framework including job creation and improved public services.

The document outlines TEEPSA's proposal to extract gas and explore for other reserves in Block 11B/12B, located 75 km from Cape St Francis and 120 km from Mossel Bay. It details the planned drilling activities, the use of the F-A platform, and the potential environmental and social impacts, including risks to marine biodiversity, local livelihoods, and the climate. While TEEPSA claims the project will create thousands of jobs and provide a lower-carbon alternative to coal for power generation, the guide highlights concerns regarding fossil fuel investment and the disruption of cultural and spiritual connections to the sea.

The document evaluates the implementation of the Zondo Commission's recommendations in South Africa, noting that while some legislative bills have been tabled, many executive promises remain vague and structural weaknesses in Parliament, the criminal justice system, and state-owned entities persist.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) provided formal submissions on the Draft National Appeal Regulations 2023 under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), 1998. The CER argues that several proposed regulations create barriers to public participation, violate principles of administrative justice, and are inconsistent with existing NEMA provisions, particularly regarding appeal timeframes and the use of standardized forms.