Interview: Eric Vemer How would you rate the progress of the government’s strategic infrastructure projects (SIPs)? ERIC VEMER: The National Development Plan (NDP), the associated Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission and the targeted SIPs provide a sound framework for public and private sector engagement for the planning and implementation of nationally supported key infrastructure…
Interview: Asher Bohbot To what extent do you see demand for cloud services taking off among businesses in South Africa? ASHER BOHBOT: As far as large enterprises are concerned, the biggest growth area over the past few years has been in ICT outsourcing, followed by cloud computing. Even so, the uptake on cloud services has remained rather slow as clients continue to experiment with certain computing…
Interview:Sifiso Dabengwa How best can broadband be deployed nationally to ensure universal access? SIFISO DABENGWA: The National Broadband and ICT Policies are making robust progress in their goal to achieve universal broadband for all. However, execution is imperative and successful implementation will require that it be carried out jointly by the public and private sectors. The private sector…
Interview: Clifford Ross Has the rapid increase in the inventory of hotels changed the dynamics of the industry? CLIFFORD ROSS: The rapid increase in hotel inventory prior to the 2010 World Cup, together with the world economic crisis, which started in October 2008, resulted in an oversupply of rooms in the system. As is always the case in situations like these, discipline in applying rates is the…
Interview:TP Nchocho How have sluggish headline growth and a weakened rand affected operational costs? TP NCHOCHO: The macroeconomic environment has put farmer profitability under some pressure. Over the past few years the agriculture sector has done relatively well and benefitted from better global commodities prices. Even with the current drought of 2015, certain commodities are benefitting…
Interview:Koos Bekker How do you expect the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial TV (DTT) will affect the sector landscape? KOOS BEKKER: The migration to DTT is a welcome development for South Africa that has been a long time coming. It will clear the radio frequency spectrum occupied by broadcasters to enable the provision of wireless mobile broadband services and other innovative…
Interview:Konji Sebati What impact will the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme have on demand and access? KONJI SEBATI: The implementation of the NHI is aimed at reducing the high cost of private healthcare and ensuring efficient high-quality care in the public sector, and naturally this will increase demand and access in the public sector, including access to innovative and newer medicines…
Interview: Adam Habib With 20% of public expenditure for 2014/15 going to education, what steps can be taken to ensure these resources are properly managed? ADAM HABIB: Health and education have been identified as apex priorities by the government towards ensuring the inclusive growth of a nation that can one day transition into a knowledge-based economy. These sectors receive the biggest portions…
The sluggish growth of the South African domestic market due to socioeconomic, labour and energy supply challenges, exchange rate pressures and regulatory uncertainty in the resources sector is likely to continue having a cooling effect on inbound foreign direct investment in the near term. South Africa’s economic malaise, however, has focused domestic corporates’ attention on opportunities available…
In spite of the domestic challenges the government must navigate, South Africa maintains a robust diplomatic presence. Its transition from apartheid to democracy resulted in a significant readjustment of its foreign relations in 1994, which saw it join the South African Development Community, the Organisation of African Unity – replaced by the African Union (AU) in 2002 – and the Movement of NonAligned…
