Why does this matter to me?

The welcome recovery in South Africa’s short-term business conditions is showing early signs of slipping back – the implication being that the healthy retail and automotive sales we have seen recently may not be sustained. In contrast, the ongoing long-term indicator recovery (off a very weak base level) is positive. Unfortunately, the risks remain to the downside in an environment where the GNU has not delivered real policy improvements and is contemplating a destructive Budget.