5 years since Covid-19 landed in SA – Has the South African economy fully recovered?

Loading player...
GUEST – Duma Gqubule is research associate at the Social Policy Initiative.
It has been five years since South Africa, like the rest of the world, went into lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. The economic impact was swift and severe, with businesses shutting down, job losses mounting, and GDP plummeting. While the country has since reopened and economic activity has resumed, the question remains—has South Africa’s economy fully recovered? In this interview, we take a closer look at the state of the economy today, the sectors that have bounced back, those still struggling, and the lasting effects of the pandemic.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the South African economy has shown signs of recovery, reaching pre-pandemic challenges including high unemployment, inequality, and vulnerabilities to external economic shocks.
6 Mar 2025 6AM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

SA Outlook: Is Investment Grade Back Within Reach?

Could South Africa regain investment-grade status by 2028? Investec's Osagyefo Mazwai explains why the country's fiscal position, institutional reforms and improving credibility are shifting the ratings conversation. We explore the remaining obstacles, the importance of the MTBPS and what investors should watch next.
20 Oct 1PM 16 min

Borrowing To Survive: South Africa's Money Squeeze

The latest Money & Me survey paints a worrying picture of household finances, with more consumers borrowing before month-end, dipping into retirement savings and turning to side hustles to stay afloat. Sarah Nicholson of JustMoney unpacks what the data reveals about financial stress, debt burdens and economic resilience among South…
20 Oct 1PM 17 min

NBI on Powering Pathways To South Africa's Green Jobs Future

South Africa's green transition could unlock hundreds of thousands of jobs, but only if skills development keeps pace. Gugu McLaren-Ushewokunze from the National Business Initiative discusses the new Skills Development Zones model, the future of green employment, and how South Africa can ensure young people and underserved communities benefit from…
20 Oct 1PM 16 min

-DELETED- Borrowing To Survive: South Africa's Money Squeeze

The latest Money & Me survey paints a worrying picture of household finances, with more consumers borrowing before month-end, dipping into retirement savings and turning to side hustles to stay afloat. Sarah Nicholson of JustMoney unpacks what the data reveals about financial stress, debt burdens and economic resilience among South…
20 Oct 1PM 17 min

NBI on Powering Pathways To South Africa's Green Jobs Future

South Africa's green transition could unlock hundreds of thousands of jobs, but only if skills development keeps pace. Gugu McLaren-Ushewokunze from the National Business Initiative discusses the new Skills Development Zones model, the future of green employment, and how South Africa can ensure young people and underserved communities benefit from…
20 Oct 1PM 16 min