South Africa : Macroeconomic Challenges after a Decade of Success

More than halfway through the new decade, the South African economy has done very well. Growth was high in 2004, 2005 and 2006, capital inflows and the rand are strong, the budget is relatively healthy, and inflation rates and interest rates are low. As democracy continues to consolidate, there are plenty of grounds for optimism; in fact business confidence indicators and private investment are at an all time high. This report asks the question if such achievements provide grounds for complacency. In other words, is the job done? Or do these achievements open the door to new challenges? Are there risks in the horizon? And how does the government's ASGI-SA strategy deal with the challenges?