Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a staggered VAT increase to 16% by 2026/27. Experts from Webber Wentzel explore its legislative challenges, business implications, and tax recovery measures, while also highlighting new zero-rated items aimed at easing the burden on low-income households.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a VAT increase to 16% by 2026/27, generating R42.5 billion in additional revenue. Momentum’s JJ van Wyk views the Budget as responsible, emphasising the importance of smart savings strategies amid tax adjustments and infrastructure investments.

Forecasting economic and market variables is inherently difficult, with research suggesting that only 23% of professional forecasts prove accurate. Add in US policy uncertainty - President Trump signed a flurry of executive orders on his first day in office - and the outlook for the global economy is even more challenging to predict than usual.

Global gold reserves are shifting as central banks react to economic uncertainty. Switzerland holds the most gold per capita, while the U.S. leads in total reserves. Poland, Turkey, and China are top buyers, while Russia and the Philippines are major sellers.

Sean Neethling, Head of Investments at Morningstar SA, explores shifting market narratives, from US tech dominance to emerging market opportunities. He highlights AI-driven competition, China’s resurgence, and the importance of diversification in navigating evolving global equity trends and investment risks.

With the US pulling out of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET) partnership, global ESG momentum is under pressure once again. But rather than signalling the death of ESG, this shift is forcing businesses to rethink sustainability strategies beyond government incentives.