Closing South Africa’s Digital Divide: Why Satellite Internet Must Be Part of the Solution
One of the most significant barriers to economic growth and development in South Africa is something we cannot always see — the absence of fast, affordable, and reliable internet where it’s needed most. While urban areas enjoy competitive data markets and growing fibre penetration, vast swathes of rural South Africa remain offline. According to recent […]
Resolve Quarterly, Q1 2025
Navigating Uncertainty: Insights from The Resolve Quarterly, Q1 2025 Download the Resolve Quarterly, Q1 2025. The first quarter of 2025 has been marked by significant global and national uncertainty. From geopolitical shifts, particularly concerning US-South Africa relations under the Trump administration, to domestic economic and political challenges within the Government of National Unity (GNU), the […]
Resolve Rundown: 31 March – 4 April 2025
This week in Parliament, the National Assembly will debate the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals (National Budget), the centrepiece of this week’s legislative agenda. This debate will set the stage for broader discussions on public spending, revenue generation, and economic priorities. On Tuesday, the Communications and Digital Technologies Committee will hear from state-owned entities […]
The World Has Changed, So Should We
The start of 2025 has ushered in a new global reality. President Donald Trump’s second term is not only reshaping the United States but also redefining its global position and the intricate interdependencies between nations. This shift forces us to confront a crucial question: how do we, as South Africa, adapt to a world that […]
Resolve Rundown: 24 – 28 March 2025
This week in Parliament, the National Assembly is focused on committee work and oversight, with significant attention on the 2025 Division of Revenue Bill and broader fiscal planning. On Tuesday, the Standing and Select Committees on Finance will hold public hearings on the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals. The Trade and Industry Committee will engage […]
Diplomacy on the Rocks: The Communication Blunder that Expelled an Ambassador
In a striking reminder that diplomacy, like all human relations, is at its core a communications exercise, the recent expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador from the United States has sent ripples far beyond Washington. Declared “persona non grata” by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was denounced for purported “race-baiting” and anti-American […]
Resolve Rundown: 17 – 20 March 2025
This week in Parliament, legislative debates, budget briefings, and committee inquiries will span critical areas, including public service reform, youth development, digital regulations, waste management, rural safety, and the future of South Africa’s gas industry. On Tuesday, the National Assembly will hold a plenary session to consider reports from the Portfolio Committee on Public Service […]
Shaping Your Narrative in Uncertain Times
The theme of 2025 so far has been that of uncertainty. Whether this be at an international level with what appears to be the rapid unstitching of the post-World War Two rules-based international order, the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence on the future of work, or at a national level where there still remains uncertainty […]
Resolve Rundown: Budget Week, 10 – 14 March 2025
This week in Parliament, the national budget speech on Wednesday, 12 March, will take centre stage, outlining government spending priorities and fiscal policies. Alongside this, committees will focus on education, procurement, mining, tourism, energy, defence, and governance. On Tuesday, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education will examine the impact of SONA 2025 on education policy […]
Big Promises, Grim Realities: Tony Leon on South Africa’s Economic Crossroads
“CR likes big numbers,” a National Treasury official noted with respect to President Cyril Ramaphosa. In this matter, his State of the Nation speech on 6 February did not disappoint. It was peppered with statistics and one eye watering spending commitment. This was the promise for R940bn to be spent over next three years on […]
