---
title: "Weekly wrap up: 27 February"
description: "Gordhan tweaks SA's economic machine, NWU buildings burn, and Iran votes"
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "World"
author: "Andrea Teagle"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/andreateagle/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-02-27-weekly-wrap-up-27-february/"
published: "2016-02-27T00:00:00"
updated: "2016-02-27T06:54:58"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 654
---

# Weekly wrap up: 27 February

> Gordhan tweaks SA's economic machine, NWU buildings burn, and Iran votes

By Andrea Teagle · Published 27 February 2016, 02:00 SAST · Updated 27 February 2016, 08:54 SAST

## Content

| \| \\| # 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’](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-02-24-budget-2016-no-austerity-some-tax-increases-slash-in-expenditure-deficit-down/#.Vs_2RbTfLdk) 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](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-02-24-budget-2016-pravin-gordhan-the-great-unsaid-and-orchestral-manoeuvres-in-the-dark/#.Vs_2EbTfLdk) on Thursday. But, overhead, the [SARS rogue unit controversy still looms](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-02-25-its-game-on-round-one-hawks-letter-to-pravin-gordhan/#.VtAeGLTfLdk). With the Hawks readying for attack, [the ANC on Friday came out in support](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-02-26-hawks-gunning-for-gordhan-anc-comes-out-in-support-of-finance-minister/#.VtBaW7TfLdk) of the Finance Minister. \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **From buses to buildings** On Wednesday, student protesters torched buildings at North West University. Campus was closed after the Administration and Science Centre buildings succumbed to fire. Also up in flames is the once wide-spread, unified support for the students’ cause that accompanied the #FeesMustFall protests last year. Meanwhile, one attempt to unify students amidst rising racial tensions, the so-called Tuks [#ColourBlind campaign](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-02-25-maverick-interview-colourblind/#.VtBsjLTfLdk), has been criticised for failing to acknowledge very real racial inequalities. \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Iran's election battles** As the [US electoral race speeds up](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-02-22-us-2016-in-south-carolina-trump-defies-laws-of-physics-while-jeb-sinks-without-a-trace/), 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 \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # [YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao8L-0nSYzg)Everything we Think we Know about Addiction is Wrong \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| Fact of the Week **As February makes its exit, here’s what maths has to say about achieving happily-ever-after.** Says mathematician Hannah Fry (and a basic mathematical problem), your odds of finding the ideal partner are greatest if you [date and reject the first 37% of your life’s suitors](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/02/16/when-to-stop-dating-and-settle-down-according-to-math/). Of course, you’d have to guess the total number of potential partners you’re likely to meet, and you may get it wrong. But if you can nail down a reasonable estimate, [the maths](http://www.math.uah.edu/stat/urn/Secretary.html)is unequivocal about when to stop. \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # 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](http://www.markettheatre.co.za/) for one more week.**Body Words part II.**[The second installment of the human anatomy exhibition](http://bodyworldsvital.co.za/)that 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](http://www.facebook.com/events/812773165497672) 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. \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\|  \| \| --- \| |
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| \| # Sporting Weekend\\|  \\| \\| --- \\|\\| \\\| \\\\| **Super Rugby,**Saturday: Sunwolves v Lions, 6.15am; Crisaders v Chiefs, 8.35am; Waratahs v Reds, 10.45am; Force v Rebel, 12.55pm; Kings v Sharks, 3pm; stormers v Bulls, 5.15pm.**Cricket** Momentum Cup Final: Cobras v Lions, 10am, Newlands, Cape Town \\\\| \\\\| --- \\\\| \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\| \\| --- \\|\\| \\\| \\\\| **Soccer,****PSL:** Saturday: Tuks v Chippa utd, 8.30am; Jomo Cosmos v SuperSport Utd, 8.30amOrlando Pirates v Bloem celtics, 1.15pm.Sunday: Golden Arrows v Platinum Stars, 8.30am. \\\\| \\\\| --- \\\\| \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\|  \| \| --- \| |
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