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PODCAST: Annabel Bishop in discussion with Lindsay Williams
Looking ahead in H1 2019
The focus will remain on the imperative to create more jobs, strengthen economic growth and create a strong, capable state, with feedback likely on those areas in what is a general election year. The date of the general election is expected to be in May, but the exact date is expected to be announced in the SONA tonight, from 7pm SA time.
The elimination of corruption and cronyism and strengthening of democracy will remain key rallying calls, while inclusive growth, transformation, the empowerment of youth and women, and social welfare support will likely be paramount in the address, as will be good governance of SOEs.
The focus will remain on the imperative to create more jobs, strengthen economic growth and create a strong, capable state.The SONA is expected to focus on a number of key SOEs under financial pressure, with a formal announcement likely on Eskom’s expected restructuring into three companies namely generation, transmission and control of the grid, with semi-privatization potentially of the first two. The state is likely to provide further financial support to Eskom in the meantime.

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Job creation in tourism accelerated in SA, from 2014 to 2017.Government guarantees to key SOEs high level of debt, given the weakened state of government finances, is a key downwards pressure on SA’s credit ratings. Besides restructuring Eskom and partial privatisation of transmission and generation, reduction in staff costs and higher tariffs are also likely but will be unpalatable to various sectors.
Renewables
The world is increasingly moving in the direction of renewable energy generated electricity, particularly wind and solar, which make up a very small percent for SA currently. South Africa’s IRP (Integrated Resource Plan) details the increasing mix needed for renewables, particularly given their relatively more labour-intensive nature.
The world is increasingly moving towards renewable energy generated electricity, particularly wind and solar, which currently make up a very small per cent for SA.The formal unemployment rate is close to 30%, versus the 21.3% reached towards the end of the last decade. South Africa has a high youth unemployment rate, of around 50%, with the informal unemployment rate close to 40%. Besides renewable energy, the tourism industry is also labour intensive.
Tourism
South Africa’s southern hemispheres summer and attractive destinations contrast well with northern hemisphere winters, particularly SA’s international standard of many resorts/hotels. Job creation in tourism accelerated in SA, from 2014 to 2017 tourism created 64 000 jobs, exceeding the performance of the industrial sector.
The Budget on 20 February is likely to provide the detail on Eskom and other key SOE financial support from government. It is unlikely to see a marked departure from the 2018 MTBPS, but a further hike in the top marginal tax rate is a possibility and some switching in expenditure priority in line with SONA objectives, but no drop in debt forecasts.
Repo rate and Moody's
Moody’s is scheduled to deliver its country ratings review of SA on 29 March, post the Budget. With little fiscal consolidation or projected improvement over the longer-term, SA is likely to see its outlook on its Moody’s dual long-term (local and foreign currency) credit rating drop from stable to negative this year, if not in March then at the next review in H2.19.
Also read: SA down(graded) but not out
Also in H1.19, Nersa is expected to announce multi-year electricity tariff increases. Eskom’s additional request for a 17.1% tariff hike this year (15.4% and 15.5% for the next two years), is unlikely to be approved (around 5% is likely instead). A number of mines have indicated either severe job losses or even closures on such high tariff increases.
In summary:
- Weak economic growth persists
- Income produced by households is mostly spent
- Government finances have deteriorated
- Sentiment is expected to improve materially post General Election
- Corporates are not essentially saving more
- Trade account shifts to surplus on weaker imports
- Rand is driven by global and domestic risk factors
- SOEs finances represent a key major risk to SA
- Inflation largely runs within the 3-6% target band
- Markets expect flat 2019 SA and US interest rates
Risks and opportunities:
- Eskom risk hangs over economy and credit rating
- SA has vast competitive potential in renewables
- Moody’s likely to drop outlook to negative this year
- Weak institutions lower competitiveness, growth
- SA key strengths will help drive growth
- SA achieved A grade ratings before, and can again
- Land reform is ongoing but lack of clarity on EWC
- Mining sector dependent on policies, costs, prices
- Major tourism opportunities, a youthful population
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About the author

Annabel Bishop
Chief Economist of Investec Ltd
Annabel holds an MCom Cum Laude (Economics and econometrics) and has worked in the macroeconomic, risk, financial market and econometric fields, among others, for around 25 years. Working in the economic field at Investec, Annabel heads up a team, which focusses on the macroeconomic, financial market and global impact on the domestic environment. She authors a wide range of in-house and external articles published both abroad and in South Africa.
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