---
title: "Watch – South Africa’s business year in review: Optimism, drama and a mini-budget twist"
description: "At the start of 2025, the mood was hopeful. By midyear, it was anything but straightforward. From economist optimism and fiscal standoffs to behind-the-scenes policy battles and a late-breaking mini-budget, Business Maverick Lindsey Schutters rounds up the moments that defined South Africa’s business year and asks what they tell us about where the economy is headed next."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "VIDEO"
author: "Lindsey Schutters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/lindsey-schutters-2/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-12-26-watch-south-africas-business-year-in-ren-review-optimism-drama-and-a-minibudget/"
published: "2025-12-26T07:00:00"
updated: "2025-12-23T11:01:47"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 36
---

# Watch – South Africa’s business year in review: Optimism, drama and a mini-budget twist

> At the start of 2025, the mood was hopeful. By midyear, it was anything but straightforward. From economist optimism and fiscal standoffs to behind-the-scenes policy battles and a late-breaking mini-budget, Business Maverick Lindsey Schutters rounds up the moments that defined South Africa’s business year and asks what they tell us about where the economy is headed next.

By Lindsey Schutters · Published 26 December 2025, 09:00 SAST · Updated 23 December 2025, 13:01 SAST

## Content

[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrOlD7t6ido)

Reporting by: Lindsey Schutters 
Edited by: Joel Seboa 
Filmed by: Joel Seboa 
Produced by: Emilie Gambade 
Sub-edited by: Kevin Flynn 

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