Tag: Press

  • How Low Interest Rates Drive House Prices Up

    For many, the dream of homeownership has become increasingly distant over the past three decades. While various factors contribute to the ever-rising cost of housing, a powerful, often unseen engine has been relentlessly pushing prices upwards: persistently low interest rates. This extended period of relatively cheap borrowing has fundamentally reshaped the housing market, creating both…

  • Evaluating RICA: Is SIM Registration Effective in South Africa?

    In South Africa, the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA) was introduced in 2003 with the aim of combating crime and enhancing national security by regulating the registration of SIM cards and the interception of communications. However, nearly two decades since its inception, questions persist regarding the effectiveness of…

  • The role of the press.

    Seeing this in a mailshot I received today from The Daily Maverick reminds me of a post from some time ago about just this subject, it rings true today as much as it did then. “The print, broadcast and electronic media have a particular role in the protection of freedom of expression in our society.…

  • Towards a More Equitable Future – Establishing Essential Services as “Not-for-Profit Companies”

    In a world driven by economic growth and profit-making, it is time for governments to take a bold and transformative step towards ensuring the welfare of their citizens. The concept of “not-for-profit companies” for essential services offers a path towards greater equity and accessibility. By shifting these critical sectors away from profit-driven motives, governments can…

  • The Magic of Money Creation: How Banks Create Money Out of Thin Air

    The process of money creation is often shrouded in mystery and misunderstood by the general public. Contrary to popular belief, banks do have the unique ability to create money “out of thin air.” lets try and demystify this concept and shed light on how banks create new money through the process of lending and fractional…

  • UK Employees of the state

    Given the state of the UK’s state owned and operated enterprises it’s surprising to see just how large the proportion of people employed by the state actually is. State-run enterprises in the UK have often been criticized for being badly run, despite having a large number of employees. This can be attributed to several factors,…

  • Net Zero: A Balancing Act between Aspiration and Mineral Realities

    The concept of achieving net zero emissions has gained momentum in recent years as the world grapples with the urgency of mitigating climate change. The goal of reaching net zero emissions involves balancing the total greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere with an equivalent amount removed or offset, effectively stabilizing the Earth’s climate. While…

  • Eskom – what’s going on?

    Eskom, the South African power utility company, has been facing a number of challenges in recent years. The company has struggled to keep up with demand for electricity and has suffered from frequent power outages, known as “load shedding.” These outages have had a significant impact on the South African economy, as businesses and households…

  • The Viability of Carbon Capture – Unleashing the Potential of Myles Allen’s Vision

    I posted a few days ago about the view Myles Allen expressed on the BBC show by Laura Kuenssberg https://mutteringsfromafrica.com/?p=307, some more thoughts come to mind; In the fight against climate change, the need for innovative and scalable solutions has never been more pressing. One such technology that has garnered significant attention is carbon capture…