austeritylatest news & developments
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. (GCIS)

Godongwana holds better budget cards but economic recovery remains inadequate

Labour federations Cosatu and the South African Federation of Trade Unions have led calls for a budget that addresses massive unemployment and weak growth

  • Eyaaz
6 min read
The SACP has long agitated for more autonomy and influence over state policy.

Mbalula: SACP’s decision to contest elections will split members

There are concerns that the decision will weaken the ANC in future elections

  • Eyaaz
4 min read
Tax bracket over-inflation has led to income inequality and less money for essential services. Graphic: John McCann/Mail & Guardian

Tax Bracket Over-inflation: How the treasury is forfeiting R198bn a year

Tax bracket over-inflation has led to income inequality and less money for essential services

  • Umamah Bakharia
5 min read
A portrait of Stefanos Kasselakis in Syntagma Square, Athens, Greece, on June 6, 2024, during a pre-election rally of SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance, ahead of the European Elections, took place on June 9, 2024. (Photo by George Schinas/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Lessons for the Left | The rise and fall of Syriza

The third instalment of Lessons for the Left considers what happens when a grassroots resistance movement takes on entrenched neoliberalism

  • Des Erasmus
6 min read
Women are more affected by austerity measures because they are disproportionately represented in the public sector and among informal workers. (File photo/MG)

Austerity is not only an economic issue, it’s a feminist issue

The medium term budget policy statement (MTBPS) on 30 October will lay out spending intentions for the next three years. This is the first chance the government of national unity has to meaningfully display its position on fiscal policy. Despite the government’s denial that we have an austerity budget, the continuous slashes to expenditure (after adjusting […]

  • Des Erasmus
8 min read
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. File Photo

The Fiscal Cliff | Will austerity push South Africa to the brink?

Today, as the country awaits the next update on the state of its public purse, the prospect of a debt crisis seems more imminent than before. This is as South Africa’s fiscal position has deteriorated markedly during the course of this year, a dilemma that could see the treasury inflicting another round of spending cuts.

  • Umamah Bakharia
8 min read