Risk Alert

Risk Alert

The Risk Alert is a weekly two-page analysis of emerging political and economic risks. It provides guidance on how topical events, both locally and globally, will influence South Africa’s business and investment environment. The Risk Alert, presented in both PDF and audio formats, is published every Monday morning, — helping CRA clients to begin each week armed with the latest analysis of key events.

Risk Alert | South Africa’s fiscal quagmire

In this week's exclusive client Risk Alert, Bheki Mahlobo and Frans Cronje discuss National Treasury’s economic growth, deficit and debt outlook for South Africa.

Publication description

The country’s low growth outlook will undermine prospects for any recovery in employment levels, while poor school outcomes continue to hinder labour absorption. 

Is the global economy entering a period of sustained recovery?

Risk Alert | Is the global economic recovery underway?

22 February 2021 - In this week's exclusive client Risk Alert, Bheki Mahlobo and Frans Cronje look beyond South Africa to determine the key trends influencing the global environment.

Publication description

As the world emerges from the rubble of the Covid-19 crisis, Cronje and Mahlobo explore the drivers of the economic recovery.

What factors could derail the recovery, they ask?

Risk Alert | The SONA and the policy soul of the government

15 February 2021 - In this week's exclusive client Risk Alert, Bheki Mahlobo and Frans Cronje look beyond the State of the Nation Address and peer into the “policy soul” of the ANC government.

Publication description

Cronje and Mahlobo examine six key indicators to determine the policy and ideological orientation of the government.


These indicators reveal a policy framework increasingly hostile to investment and growth in the country.

Risk Alert | Has SA procured enough vaccines?

8 February 2021 - In this week's exclusive client Risk Alert, Bheki Mahlobo and Frans Cronje discuss whether South Africa has procured sufficient vaccines to meet the needs of the country.

Publication description

What does the risk of SA falling behind the world in its vaccine response tell us about post-Covid economic recovery prospects?

Mahlobo and Cronje also warn that new stimulus measures in the United States may lead to future inflation risks.

Risk Alert | Inside the mind of the ANC

1 February 2021 - In this week's exclusive client Risk Alert, Frans Cronje and Bheki Mahlobo discuss the growing ideological hostility towards the private sector within the ANC.

Publication description

Cronje and Mahlobo also warn of ‘hairline cracks’ that are beginning to emerge inside South Africa’s banking sector.

They conclude with an early take on China’s relationship with the United States in the Biden era.

Risk Alert | Eskom a ‘hard ceiling’ on SA’s growth prospects

25 January 2021 - In this week's exclusive client Risk Alert, Frans Cronje and Bheki Mahlobo unpack the latest data on energy availability in SA.

Publication description

Cronje and Mahlobo also explore the reasons for the declining competitiveness of SA's mining sector.

They conclude by highlighting some new (and old) risks in America’s politics.