NOW Ep84: Mini-budget preview - Improved outlook for state finances?

Loading player...
A rerating of SA sovereign bond yields, a stronger ZAR, and sidestepping a fiscal slippage, have sparked optimism for a healthier national balance sheet. But structural challenges persist, impeding the potential for growth. In the latest episode of the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast, Investec Chief Economist Annabel Bishop and Treasury Economist Tertia Jacobs discuss the Finance Minister's priorities ahead of the mini budget on 30 October.

Podcast key moments:

00:00 – Introduction
01:24 - Under what macroeconomic conditions will the minister deliver the midterm budget speech?
02:44 - Is South Africa in a much better macroeconomic position going into Q4?
03:22 – Is the budget deficit narrowing?
04:09 – Is South Africa managing debt better?
05:26 – What are the risks to consider?
07:21 – What does fiscal consolidation look like for the country?
09:12 – Any tax announcements expected?
10:49 – What do you expect on inflation targeting?
13:07 - What are some of the key developments that have transpired between February 2024 the upcoming October MTBPS?
14:08 - What are the implications of the rerating of the country risk premium and appreciation of the rand on the balance sheet?
15:15 - Following the review of the public-private partnerships, what are you expecting from the minister on October 30?
17:20 - Some conditional debt relief for municipalities was announced by the minister in February, do you think there will be more relief?
19:36 - Is the minister reining in the spending?
21:14 – Revenue forecast

Read more on www.investec.com/now

Hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs, the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast unpacks the latest economic, business and political news in South Africa, with an all-star cast of investment and wealth managers, economists and financial planners from Investec. Listen in every second Wednesday for an in-depth look at what's moving markets, shaping the economy, and changing the game for your wallet and your business.
Chapters
  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:24 Under what macroeconomic conditions will the minister deliver the midterm budget speech?
  • 02:44 Is South Africa in a much better macroeconomic position going into Q4?
  • 03:22 Is the budget deficit narrowing?
  • 04:09 Is South Africa managing debt better?
  • 05:26 What are the risks to consider?
  • 07:21 What does fiscal consolidation look like for the country?
  • 09:12 Any tax announcements expected?
  • 13:07 What are some of the key developments that have transpired between February 2024 budget and the upcoming October MTBPS?
  • 14:08 What are the implications of the rerating of the country risk premium and appreciation of the rand on the balance sheet?
  • 15:15 Following the review of the public-private partnerships, what are you expecting from the minister on October 30?
  • 17:20 Some conditional debt relief for municipalities was announced by the minister in February, do you think there will be more relief?
  • 19:36 Is the minister reining in the spending?
  • 21:14 Revenue forecast
15 Oct 2024 English South Africa Business · Investing

Other recent episodes

What Next? Bridging the trust gap

In this episode of What Next?, Professor Mike Kenny (Cambridge) and Jacinta Koolmatrie examine the breakdown of trust between communities and institutions. They discuss how centralised governance and economic shifts have driven local grievances, and argue that rebuilding trust requires sharing power, working at community pace, and supporting locally led…
2 Apr 52 min

NOW Ep124: A crude awakening for inflation?

Interest rate cuts were meant to define 2026. Now, markets are bracing for hikes. In this episode of No Ordinary Wednesday, Investec’s Chief Economists Annabel Bishop and Phil Shaw examine how the energy shock is forcing central banks to reconsider their path. From London to Pretoria, policymakers face a familiar…
31 Mar 24 min

Macro Monday Ep110: Little sign of a near-term end to the war

With little sign of an early resolution to the war in the Middle East, supply constraints on commodities such as oil, gas, and helium may well endure. Chris Holdsworth Chief Investment Strategist, at Investec Wealth & Investment International notes that fuel prices likely to feed through quickly into consumer inflation,…
30 Mar 8 min

What Next? | Making the transition investable

Clean and green growth has moved from ambition to execution, but the challenge is one of pace. Investment conditions are key: predictable rules, credible pathways, and coordination across value chains, finance and government. This episode of What Next? Leadership Conversations for a Better Future, Helena Norrman, Marina Grossi, and Sang-Hyup…
27 Mar 35 min

Everything Counts | Episode 44: What the new 2026 tax allowances mean for you?

The new tax year is here, and the 2026 Budget Speech introduced important changes that could reshape how South Africans save, invest, and plan for retirement. In this episode of Everything Counts, host Motheo Khoaripe sits down with Vumi Dludlu, Investec financial adviser, and Johan Loubser, head of adviser enablement…
23 Mar 18 min