Opinion - Rejane Woodroffe - Conservative course
During the pre budget analysis there was much speculation on how lower GDP growth forecasts would affect the treasury's ability to continue projecting budget surpluses. Some economists even expected an era of budget deficits.
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Opinion - The stakes are high - Wilhelm van Zyl
Finance minister Trevor Manuel has prioritised infrastructure development - and rightly so - but he is also starting to put more resources into the expansion of SA's social security system, particularly retirement benefits. This is to be welcomed.
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Opinion - Phillip Matlakala - Opportunity missed
Though this year's budget was, on balance, positive, finance minister Trevor Manuel missed a golden opportunity to tackle a problem that is steadily getting worse - the declining level of savings by households.
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Opinion - Romeo Makhubela - The right moves
Eskom's inability to provide the country with sufficient electricity has dominated the headlines and put a damper on economic prospects. But finance minister Trevor Manuel's budget goes a long way to restoring investor confidence in the local economy.
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Opinion - Blum Khan - Tonic for the ill
Government is on the right track in curtailing tariff increases by the large private hospital groups, but it should open up the market by means of public -private partnerships to create "patient power". Health remains one of the national budget priorities.
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