Towards the end of the year, credit rating agencies give an update on their view of South Africa's rating. On Friday, S&P Global said our rating remains below investment grade at BB, but with a positive outlook that it can improve. How does this affect each of us?

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School.

Teen die einde van die jaar gee kredietgraderingsagentskappe ʼn opdatering van hulle siening van Suid-Afrika se gradering. Vrydag het S&P Global gesê ons gradering bly onder beleggingsgraad op BB, maar met ʼn positiewe vooruitsig dat dit kan verbeter. Hoe raak dit elkeen van ons?

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

Baie van die aanwysers waaroor ek gereeld praat word met ʼn redelike sloering bekend gemaak. Die week se kleinhandel verkopesyfers is Septembermaand se data. Daar is ongelukkig min hoë-frekwensie data wat sê wat nou in die ekonomie aangaan. Een van die uitsonderings is BUSA en die vereniging van vragvervoerders se weeklikse nuusbrief en dit is vol interessanthede.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

Many of the indicators I often talk about are announced with quite a lag. This week's retail sales figures are September's data. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of high-frequency data available that tells what is going on in the economy right now. One of the exceptions is BUSA and the Association of Freight Forwarders'  (SAAFF) weekly update and it is full of interesting things.

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School

Policy uncertainty is when there is uncertainty about government policy or its consequences and Justice Malala sang a lament about it in the Financial Mail yesterday. His argument is that the economy can no longer afford the contradictions of policy and procrastination with reform.

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School.

Beleidsonsekerheid is wanneer daar onsekerheid is oor regeringsbeleid of die gevolge daarvan en Justice Malala het gister in die Financial Mail ʼn klaaglied daaroor gesing. Sy argument is dat die ekonomie nie die teenstellings van beleid en gesloer met hervorming langer kan bekostig nie.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

Consumption spending is an important part of total spending in the economy. If consumers are doing well, the economy is doing well and vice versa. Today September's retail sales figures are announced and a contraction is expected. On the one hand, load shedding makes it difficult and expensive for retailers to keep the shop door open and on the other hand because consumers are under pressure.

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School.

Verbruiksbesteding is ʼn belangrike deel van die totale besteding in die ekonomie. As dit goed gaan met verbruikers gaan dit goed met die ekonomie en andersom. Vandag word Septembermaand se kleinhandel verkopesyfers bekend gemaak. Daar word ʼn inkrimping verwag. Aan die een kant omdat beurtkrag dit vir kleinhandelaars moeilik en duur maak om die winkeldeur oop te hou en aan die ander kant omdat verbruikers onder druk is.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

Over the course of five episodes, I’m having conversations with experts from North-West University about a variety of topics. We are talking about the things that they are passionate about and are experts in their field, hoping to better understand all the factors that influence the South African economy. Today I’m talking to Dr Anton van Wyk of the School of Economic Sciences about Competition Economics and Competition Policy.

As dit so lekker reën soos die afgelope week en daar is goeie nuus oor trekkerverkope skep mens sommer moed vir die landbousektor, maar ek het gister ʼn ontleding gelees wat wys dat hierdie nie ʼn maklike, of noodwendig winsgewende, somerseisoen gaan wees nie.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

** Lees die blog waarop hierdie episode gebasseer is hier: The Farming Economist.