The So What? | Podcast on RSS.com

The So What?

by J P Landman & Ruda Landman

Government News Commentary

Season 5

On Satellites, South Africa and Starlink

In this episode JP looks at the players in the low-earth-orbit satellite industry; who is operating in South Africa, where Starlink fits in, and what the possibilities are for the future. For more about JP, and to read his newsletter, please visit his website.

US, China, South Africa: Quo Vadis?

In this episode we look at the big picture, especially the shifting trade relations between SA, China and the US. For more about JP, and to read his newsletter, please visit his website.

A Story of African Innovation

In this episode we tell the story of a young entrepreneur from Pretoria, whose award-winning innovation can change the delivery of medicine all over Africa. For more about JP, and to read his newsletter, please visit his website.

Season 4

The Achilles Heel of South Africa: Local Government

In this episode JP discusses what is being done to change our municipal system in order to safeguard funds for maintenance and capital investment, as well as instituting a framework for running coalitions. For more about JP, and to read his newsletter, please visit his website.

NHI: Where Are We Now?

After the Department of Health’s presentation to parliament three weeks ago and the medium-term budget statement last week, NHI is back in the headlines. Let’s see if we can come to grips with where we’re at. It’s a complex topic, so we’re spending a little bit more time on it than usual. For more about JP, and to read his newsletter, please visit his website.

Project Vulindlela

In this episode, JP makes a case for his belief that South Africa has over the last five years shifted from being – or trying to be – a developmental state, to being a partnership state, where government and the private sector work together to build the country’s systems and structures. It is co-ordinated from the Presidency by what is called Project Vulindlela, which translates as “open the way”. For more about JP, and to read his newsletter, please visit his website.

Getting a Grip on the Informal Sector

In a speech a few weeks ago, the outgoing CEO of Capitec cast doubt on the accuracy of the country’s recognition of the informal sector, and therefore the unemployment rate. In this episode, we look at how StatsSA arrive at their figures, and how that compares with international best practice. For more about JP, and to read his newsletter, please visit his website.

Budgets and Tariffs: So Where Are We Now?

Both South Africa's budget and the president's visit to the White House got a lot of air time recently. After the dust has settled, where do we stand? For more about JP, and to read his newsletter, please visit his website.

Budget 3.0 A Moment of Decision

Up to now, South Africa’s parliament could only vote yes or no to a budget prepared by Treasury. They had no say over the nitty gritty. This time round, that has changed. It’s all in their hands. Which way will they decide: cut the expenditure cloak to fit the cloth of diminished income, or borrow more and incur a heavier debt burden? For more about JP, and to read his newsletter, please visit his website.

Of Budgets and Tariffs

We look at two momentous developments on the same day: the passing of the fiscal framework with a paper-thin majority, and Donald Trump's trade tariffs against friend and foe. For more about JP, and to read his newsletter, please visit his website.

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