Bureau for Economic Research (BER)

(Mini-)Budget Day is all about divide and conquer for Team BER - and we’re ready for it. Premium Insights clients, keep an eye on your inbox for our #MTBPS2025 commentary later this afternoon

A new report by the @BERcoza is sounding the alarm on South Africa’s booming online sports betting industry. Dr Hanjo Odendaal: Quant Economist (consulting on Data Science applications in Economics) at the Bureau unpacks this report on #TheMorningBrief with Thulasizwe Simelane

The latest BER Weekly (Free edition) is available to read on our website now. shorturl.at/t5iq5

The BER Essential Insights economic analysis and forecasting subscription gives you access to key weekly economic news and insights curated by one of the best economic teams in the country. Running a business is tough. Staying informed should not be. bit.ly/45zGZMM

Launching 1 August 2025: BER Essential Insights For just R210 per month (or R2 100 per year) Today is the final day to accept the early bird offer for current readers Pre-sign up now and get a 25% discount on your first year's subscription. bit.ly/46vOm95

One Big Beautiful Bill Act passes as tariff pause deadline looms. Read the latest Weekly Review here bit.ly/4exfcQd

This week was marked by heightened tensions both domestically and internationally. At home, friction intensified between the two largest parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU), the ANC and the DA, as public disagreements resurfaced. Read more bit.ly/3Igvv7D

🎓 [INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY] Are you passionate about economics and ready to kickstart your career? Applications are now open for the 2026 Economist Internship Programme. What’s in it for you? Successful candidates will spend their first year training at the Bureau for Economic Research in Stellenbosh before being employed full time at the SA Reserve Bank. Applicants must: ✅ be a South African citizen; ✅ hold an Honours or Masters degree in Economics (by January 2026), with macroeconomics as a subject at a post-graduate level; ✅ be fluent in English; and ✅ possess excellent communication and writing skills. Applications close on 27 June 2025. Apply here: ber.ac.za/internship/ind…

📢[HAPPENING TODAY] The SA Reserve Bank will be livestreaming two important discussions about climate change and its impact on the economy and financial stability. 🔹 11:00: Lilas Demmou, Head of the OECD South Africa Desk, will speak about boosting growth on the path to decarbonisation. 📺 Watch the livestream here: youtube.com/watch?v=6Ixc6T… 🔹 13:00: Deputy Governor Fundi Tshazibana will discuss green finance and the role of central banks. 📺 Watch the livestream here: youtube.com/watch?v=_Ho3A8… #GreenFinance #NetZero2050 #ClimateAction

Operation Vulindlela’s to-do list just got (even) longer; US Fed keeps options open. The latest Weekly Review is available to read today. ber.ac.za/Publications/B…

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Evaluation and Monitoring Maropene Ramokgopa says the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) represents a critical juncture in the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP). tinyurl.com/58dd28mx #GovZAUpdates #DPMEatWork @DpmeOfficial @BERcoza @MaropeneRamo

Today, I addressed the @BERcoza Conference, outlining the Medium-Term Development Plan as the blueprint guiding the work of the 7th Administration, and the importance of collaboration between government, citizens, and all sectors of society in improving people's lives #DPMEatWork

This week was marked by policy reversals and clarifications both in SA and abroad, as policymakers confronted the consequences of their decisions. Read the latest Weekly Review on our website for free here. ber.ac.za/Publications/B…

Chart of the week on the South African rand versus the US dollar

TRUMP HITS PAUSE AMID A TRADE RACE TO THE BOTTOM. Read the Weekly Review available today ber.ac.za/Publications/B…

BER WEBINAR INVITATION Theme: Budget processes going forward. If you cannot attend the event (17 March, 14h30-15h30), you can register to receive a recording afterwards. Registration: shorturl.at/CNSi3

Confidence in the Hotels and Restaurants subsector remains strong, thanks to peak tourist season (Jan-Feb) and a boost from SA’s G20 presidency. This has attracted more visitors than usual, with expectations that this momentum will continue through November this year.

Business volumes in the real estate sector remain well above historical norms, and business conditions improved to levels last seen over 15 years ago. Activity in this subsector has benefitted from an increase in demand for office space and lower interest rates since September.

Join Nadia Matulich on @StellenboschUni @MFM926 tonight at 18h15 as she chats to Lesedi about the 2025 National Budget.

The latest Weekly Review has been published on our website. In this edition: Power fails to ignite SA growth, while US pullback leaves Europe to play defence.