The hidden warning in the GDP data: consumers are buckling
First-quarter GDP beat expectations at 0.5%, but household consumption fell to an eight-quarter low, signalling economic headwinds amid rising rates…
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Business
The AI bubble that isn’t quite a bubble yet
The argument in favour of markets being in an AI bubble is statistically pretty strong. But there’s a counterargument too…
Real Politics: Vaal result shows voters are harder to keep
A by-election in Emfuleni, in which the DA seized control of an ANC stronghold, is evidence that voters are demanding delivery over loyalty or history.…
Agoa and South African business: a dynamic alternative
A more granular breakdown of Agoa to consider trade at the subnational level could benefit South Africa in its trade relations with the US…
PODCAST: Cracking the pistachio opportunity
South African farmers continue to compete on the global stage through innovation and resilience. So how do you build a world-class venture?…
Naspers + Prosus: still all up to Tencent (and its AI agent)
An AI victory for Tencent will be a hit for Naspers/Prosus too – far more than what CEO Fabricio Bloisi might deliver…
Liquor’s cigarette warning: don’t turn tax policy into a mafia gift
South Africa is in grave danger of repeating its tobacco mistake: making the illicit industry grow fat, while taxed sales tumble…
Judges lash ‘egregious’ Competition Tribunal
A court ruling has excoriated the tribunal’s behaviour in a way that raises serious questions about its competence and ethics…
Masuku in Wonderland over Joburg’s crisis
The metro has finally released its annual financial statements for 2024/25. They’re no pretty picture…
Football fans score against expensive beers
A Bar de Change – but for beers – returns as football fans prepare for one of the biggest travel seasons in recent memory.…
Approvals for Cape Town’s second major airport are flying
RSA Aero’s R8bn Cape Winelands Airport gains environmental approval and a heavyweight aviation board, and targets an early 2027 construction start…
South Africa’s infrastructure gap is a governance problem – not a financing one
Pension funds will invest in local infrastructure when the risk-adjusted return is appropriate. To force them to do so will disadvantage members…
PODCAST: ‘Sharp Sharp’ – Go, Gogo, go
The sharp take on local government elections, the fuel levy, water rates and Bafana Bafana at the 2026 Soccer World Cup…
Pleasure
Currency’s best books of the year (so far)
Dive into our favourite books of 2026 (so far). They include great non-fiction and a graphic novel. Perfect reads for cozy winter weekends!…
The Friday song (on a Sunday): ‘This Too Shall Light’ by Amy Helm
My recent Friday Song about Steely Dan took me down an adjacent tributary this week. Posting previously about the children of music royalty, I…
London this summer: the best places to stay, eat, shop and see
From design, to food, fashion and books, Currency brings you a round-up of what to do when you’re next in the city…
What we’re drinking this week: Lautus De-Alcoholised Sauvignon Blanc
Lautus Sauvignon Blanc is crisp, bright and properly polished – an alcohol-free bottle that doesn’t feel like a taste and enjoyment compromise…
Game, set, lunch: a luxe new way to watch the tennis in Joburg
Tennis fan? On the lookout for kindred spirits to enjoy the Roland-Garros and Wimbledon finals with? Look no further…
From ‘Waka Waka’ to ‘Waka Wobble’: a World Cup in search of its party
The global football extravaganza, set to kick off this month, is showing early promise of being a gloriously mad mess…
Ti Amo: why we love this Joburg bakery and restaurant
From its Sandhurst Shell garage shop to Parktown North’s new Nine Yards, bakery-restaurant-deli-neighbourhood spot Ti Amo is pure magic…
The Friday song (on a Sunday): ‘Paul’s Pal’ by Sonny Rollins
Mark Rosin’s tribute to Sonny Rollins, the jazz titan behind ‘Paul’s Pal’, ‘Saxophone Colossus’ and ‘Tenor Madness’…
Beyond photography: Standard Bank Art Lab honours Santu Mofokeng
A new exhibition in Sandton captures the creative range of the celebrated photographer. It’s an archive of memory, emotion and experience…
Eight questions for the interested and interesting: Dikelo Mamiala
By day a corporate type, by night a brilliant creative, Dikelo Mamiala on books, high school crushes and Doppio Zero…
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The hidden warning in the GDP data: consumers are buckling
First-quarter GDP beat expectations at 0.5%, but household consumption fell…
Mining DG cool on DTIC’s forced mining beneficiation plan
The industrial development strategy has exposed overlapping departmental ambitions, different…
Virtual AGMs: dialling down shareholder democracy
The virtual-only AGM had its heyday during Covid. But it’s…
PPC’s comeback starts to cement itself
PPC’s CEO argues there’s still value in squeezing the business…
