This week’s wrap up

Retuning SA’s economic machine 
In Thursday’s budget speech, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan walked the country through the creative tax tweaks, state salary cuts and expenditure ‘reprioritisation’ intended to re-rail SA’s economy without blanket tax increases. Under an expenditure ceiling lowered by R10 billion, R31.8 billion will be reallocated to oiling the higher education, economic infrastructure and social welfare cogs. On the media front, Gordhan’s efforts to rescue SA’s economy met with literal applause on Thursday. But, overhead, the SARS rogue unit controversy still looms. With the Hawks readying for attack, the ANC on Friday came out in support of the Finance Minister.

Iran’s election battles 
As the US electoral race speeds up, Iranians are voting in the first parliamentary elections since the nuclear deal concluded under President Hassan Rouhani’s rule. The elections will measure public support for Iran’s reformists, and set the scene for a progression toward more moderate governance, or a return to hardline conservative rule.  To implement promised economic reform, President Hassan Rouhani needs the support of the newly elected parliament. If the hardliners come out on top, a less ‘moderate’ Iran is not one that makes for pleasant imagining

Video of the Week

Culture Dose

Joburg
Tobacco and the Harmful Effects Thereof. A popular adaption of Chekhov’s one-act play about the break-down of a lecturer whose own voice is lost amidst the words he speaks. On at The Market Theatre for one more week. 

Body Words part II. The second installment of the human anatomy exhibitionthat attracted 40 million viewers worldwide gives you more insight into the incredible workings beneath our skins. At the Sci Bono centre from Tuesday, 1 March.

Happy Sundays at Melville’s 27 Boxes provides the perfect excuse to drag the family to Melville. The market brings further quirky touches to this already quirky centre: food stalls, craft stalls and kids’ entertainment. 

Cape Town 
Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra performs at Kirstenbosch Gardens on Sunday, led by duo Goitsemang Lehobye (soprano) and Lukhanyo Moyake (tenor). Gates open at 4pm and the concert starts at 5.30pm. Tickets: R110-R150.

The Vagina Monologues will be performed at the Inner City Ideas Cartel on Saturday, at 8pm. A liberating, honest exploration of women’s realities and issues too often considered taboo, the play raises funds for initiatives to stop violence against women. Tickets: R60-R90. 

Durban iKHO! Festival is the city’s first family puppet festival. Various award-winning kiddies’ shows run through Saturday and Sunday at the Seabrooke’s Theatre. Tickets: R35.