Die ekonomie minuut

Hierdie week se groot ekonomiese nuus is die Monetêre Beleidskomitee se repokoersbesluit Donderdag. Maar daar is genoeg tyd om te praat oor hoekom hulle die repo waarskynlik onveranderd gaan laat, so ek wil eerder gesels oor nuwe bekommernis oor kunsmatige intelligensie. Ek sê maar AI, want KI klink nog  nie vir my reg nie.

Hierdie episode word ondersteun deur die Buro vir Ekonomiese Ondersoek in Stellenbosch en die NWU Sakeskool.

This week's big economic news is the Monetary Policy Committee's repo rate decision on Thursday. But there's plenty of time to talk about why they're probably going to leave the repo unchanged, so I'd rather talk about new concerns about artificial intelligence.

This episode is supported by the Bureau of Economic Research in Stellenbosch and the NWU Business School.

Statistieke Suid-Afrika het gister Mei maand se produksie data in die mynbou en vervaardigingsektore bekend gemaak, maar dit was teleurstellend. Jaar-op-jaar het produksie met 0,6% gestyg en maand tot maand was produksie laer in Mei as in April.

Hierdie episode word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

Yesterday, Statistics South Africa released May's production data for the mining and manufacturing sectors, but it was disappointing. Year-on-year production rose by 0.6% and month-on-month production was lower in May than in April.

This episode is supported by the NWU Business School.

Verbruikers is sensitief vir prysverhogings en kom gou agter as hulle mandjie inkopies meer kos, maar hulle sien nie so vinnig ‘n verskil in gewig of volume raak nie. Wanneer die inflasiekoers hoog is, sal maatskappye eerder minder aanbied in kleiner verpakking as om pryse te verhoog. Ek het vroeër al gepraat oor hondekoekies, maar het die week eers gesien my gunsteling maak van grondboontjies en rosyntjies is nou in 450 gram pakkies. Dit is sogenaamde krimpflasie, maar dit is nie die einde van die storie nie.

Hierdie episode word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

Consumers are sensitive to price increases and quickly notice if their shopping basket costs more, but they don't notice a difference in weight or volume as quickly. When the inflation rate is high, companies would rather offer less in smaller packaging than raise prices. I've talked before about dog biscuits but only saw this week that my favourite brand of peanuts and raisins is now in 450-gram packets. This is so-called shrinkflation, but it is not the end of the story.

This episode is supported by the NWU Business School.

Wat ekonomiese hervormings moet behels is ʼn groot vraagstuk vir die Regering van Nasionale Eenheid en iets waaroor kommentators nog baie gaan praat. Moet die Nasionale Ontwikkelingsplan herleef? Waar begin ons met die 2019 Medium Termyn Strategiese raamwerk se 7 prioriteite, 81 uitkomste, 357 aksies en 561 aanwysers? Intussen het ʼn klomp ekonome in Berlyn bymekaar gekom om ʼn alternatief tot die Washington-konsensus op die tafel te sit.

Hierdie episode word ondersteun deur Economic Research Southern Africa en die NWU Sakeskool.

What economic reforms should involve is a big issue for the Government of National Unity and something commentators will talk about for some time. Should the National Development Plan be revived? Where do we start with the 2019 Medium Term Strategic Framework's 7 priorities, 81 outcomes, 357 actions and 561 indicators? Meanwhile, a group of economists gathered in Berlin to put an alternative to the Washington consensus on the table.

This episode is supported by Economic Research Southern Africa and the NWU Business School.

Na 100 dae sonder beurtkrag is ekonome besig om hulle ekonomiese groeivooruitsigte te hersien en dinge lyk so effens beter.

Hierdie episode word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

After 100 days without load shedding, economists are revising their economic growth outlook and things are looking slightly better.

This episode is supported by the NWU Business School.