Die Amerikaanse Federale Reserwebank het toe hulle uitleenkoers met 25 basispunte verhoog en die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie se wipwaentjie, tuimmeltrein rit gaan voort: hierdie week se aanwysers van kleinhandelverkope en verbruikersvertroue vertel die storie.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

The US Federal Reserve increased its lending rate by 25 basis points yesterday and the South African economy's seesaw, roller coaster ride continues: this week's index of retail sales and consumer confidence tells the story.

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

Ek praat gereeld oor die stadige vordering van ekonomiese hervorming, so wanneer daar bietjie goeie nuus is, wil ek nie die kans laat verby gaan om iets daaroor te sê nie. Die goeie nuus is dat ICASA verlede week suksesvolle spektrumveilings gehou het. Selfoonmaatskappye en internetdiensverskaffers het meer as R8 miljard betaal vir nuwe radio frekwensie spektrum. Dit gaan help om datadienste uit te brei teen laer koste vir die verbruiker.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

I often talk about the slow progress of economic reform, so when there is some good news, I do not want to pass up the opportunity to say something about it. The good news is that ICASA held successful spectrum auctions last week. Cellphone companies and internet service providers have paid more than R8 billion for new radio frequency spectrum. It will help to expand data services at lower cost to the consumer.

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

Die Amerikaanse Federale Reserwebank neem hierdie week ʼn belangrike besluit. Die afgelope jaar het hulle ekonomie sterk gegroei en inflasie skerp gestyg. Hulle moet nou rem trap – net genoeg om inflasie onder beheer te bring, maar nie soveel dat dit die ekonomie in ʼn resessie laat beland nie. Die skerp styging in die olieprys gaan die moeilik maak om so ʼn sagte landing reg te kry.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

The US Federal Reserve is making an important decision this week. In the past year, their economy has grown strongly and inflation has risen sharply. They now need to pump the brakes – just enough to bring inflation under control, but not by so much that it pushes the economy into a recession. The sharp rise in the oil price will make it difficult to get such a soft landing right.

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

Daar is ʼn lekker mengsel van ekonomiese nuus en aanwysers hierdie week. Statistieke Suid-Afrika maak Januariemaand se syfers vir kleinhandel, groothandel en die motorhandel bekend. Die FNB/ Buro vir Ekonomiese Ondersoek verbruikersvertroue indeks vir die eerste kwartaal word ook die week bekend gemaak. En ons moet 'n oog hou op sentrale banke.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

There's a nice mix of economic news and indicators this week. Statistics South Africa publishes January's figures for the retail, wholesale and motor trade. The FNB / Bureau of Economic Research's consumer confidence index for the first quarter is also out this week. And we have to keep an eye on the central banks.

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

Ons weet almal dat Suid-Afrika het ʼn kenmerkende ongelyke verdeling van inkomste en welvaart. ʼn Onlangse verslag deur die Wêreldbank het die oorsake van ongelykheid ondersoek. Die aanbevelings is dat sosiale besteding meer effektief moet wees en dat toelae beter geteiken moet word om die mees kwesbare mense te help. Maar, juis omdat die verdeling van inkomste so ongelyk is, is die belastingbasis wat moet betaal vir die herverdelingsbeleide, baie smal.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

We all know that South Africa is characterized by an unequal distribution of income and wealth. Last week the World Bank released a report that investigated the causes of this inequality. The recommendations are that social spending should be more effective and that grants should be better targeted to help the most vulnerable people. Yet, precisely because the distribution of income is so unequal, the tax base that must pay for the redistribution policies is very small (and shrinking).

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