Featured Research: Economy & Business

Talking Point

Cloud computing could be key to speeding up Africa’s development

Earlier this year, 17 African countries presented their progress on reaching the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, at the United Nations. There was some good news and progress. But it’s clear that radical interventions are still required if countries on the continent are to achieve these ambitious global development goals.

Talking Point

South Africa’s carbon tax matters – for the economy and tackling climate change

Carbon tax is likely to be an effective way of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, which lead to climate change and have negative consequences for human life. But the carbon tax that’s been introduced in South Africa could cost jobs, unless people acquire skills that can be used in sectors that are not carbon-intensive.

Talking Point

Op-Ed: Foreign doctorates are attractive – but don’t write off homegrown PhDs

Introducing more skilled employees into the economy is an important path to development for many middle income countries. That’s why increased and improved training at the top end of the education level – PhDs – is considered so vital.

Talking Point

Poor consumers let down by ineffective listeriosis messaging

More than two months have passed since the World Health Organisation confirmed that the listeriosis outbreak in SA was the biggest globally, and consumers in the country were cautioned about the dangers of consuming contaminated products.

Talking Point

Why manufacturing a key vaccine in South Africa is so important

South Africa has been granted a licence to manufacture one of the world’s most important vaccines. It’s the first time the country will be able to do so since the mid-1990s, and is news that will result in many positive spin-offs for the country.

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A new indigenous personality test for South Africa

Psychological assessments for employees have been controversial in South Africa because of the country's troubled past. Cognitive ability and personality tests, for example, were originally developed for white, English speakers, but have been applied to other language groups as determined by Apartheid laws.