In this insightful interview, Esmarie Yssel of Pretoria FM talks to Frederick Mitchell, Chief Economist at Aluma Capital, about the ripple effects of the postponed budget speech and the looming threat of a VAT increase in South Africa. Mitchell explains why a 1% to 2% VAT hike could hit the country’s poorest the hardest and strain an already sluggish economy. He also shares his concerns about declining investor confidence and the challenges facing businesses in a low-demand environment. This conversation dives into the difficult choices facing South Africa’s leaders and what they could mean for the nation’s economic future.