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Reader questions:
POWER STRUGGLE
Minister downplays ‘insignificant’ court delays due to water, power cuts as critics point to dysfunction
Water and electricity outages, compounded by poor maintenance, have resulted in 21 days being lost at courts across the country in the past year. But according to civil society groups, the problems run far deeper.
NMB electricity crisis — illegal connection cut-offs spark Grogro residents’ anger
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s dilemma – recoup R1bn lost electricity revenue through large-scale disconnections, but to the cost of its most destitute communities.
After the Bell: It’s time to celebrate Eskom’s huge progress — but I still don’t want their jobs
As Eskom makes a profit, and keeps the lights on, handshakes all round are in order. But, to be sustainable in the future, the power utility needs many more things to go right.
Poll of month:
E-COMMERCE
SA’s R130bn e-commerce boom sparks fears of retail sector job losses
South Africa’s online retail sector has opened a new battleground. E-commerce turnover is on track to surpass R130-billion by the end of 2025, capturing nearly 10% of the country’s total retail market. For the first time in SA’s history, nearly one in every 10 rand spent on retail will be spent online by the end of this year.
After the Bell: Shopping sucks, but SA is stitching a comeback
Buying clothes has never been more complicated. There are more choices now than ever before. However, something has shifted fundamentally in our local market. Our own stores are pushing back.
SA must prepare for an uncertain and unpredictable global trading environment
South Africa must embrace a forward-looking trade strategy to ensure its economy remains resilient in an era of increased protectionism and uncertainty from the US.
Reader questions:
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
The gig economy: Video doctors on the frontlines of the Uberisation of healthcare
The telemedicine revolution is changing the doctor’s room with general practitioners working across multiple platforms – raising questions about quality of care, professional liability and the future of the doctor-patient relationship.
Tick-box consultations won’t save NHI, changing governance structures might
Participants in the first National Convention argued that the government must do more than stage consultations: there needs to be ‘substance over form’. For the NHI to succeed, government actions must reflect this feedback.
SA practising damaging politics of the zero-sum game
While there are many prisms through which you can attempt to understand our politics, one may be to examine whether people see the entire process as a zero-sum game. There may now be mounting evidence that more politicians and voters believe every single issue must be reduced to winners and losers.
Hell Affairs
Government in ‘phase two’ of plan to recover stolen Gupta money, says deputy NPA director
The ‘fixers’ of South Africa’s damaged state say progress is real: SARS collected R2.3-trillion last year, visa backlogs have been cleared, billions in looted assets have been frozen and the Guptas’ money could still come home.
Leading the charge — 6 agents of change tackling South Africa’s challenges head-on
From state institutions to business and civil society, leaders share how they solve difficult problems. We profile some of the guests and speakers lined up for The Gathering: Changemakers | Impact Edition.
After nine years and two court orders, Daniela Rodriguez can finally chase her volleyball dream
Nine years after the Supreme Court of Appeal recognised her as a South African citizen, 16-year-old volleyball lover Daniela Rodriguez has finally been registered by the Department of Home Affairs — clearing the way for her to officially compete and represent South Africa at the national level.
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