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When all is said and done regarding a specific country's president, history and numbers will tell the true tale of just how successful or unsuccessful a country's leader has been. While great strides has been made in South Africa regarding service delivery to the poor, access to water, housing, health, electricity etc, the country's economy has not been an area where great strides have been made in the last two decades.
South Africa's exchange rate has been taking a beating for years on end now, the GDP per capita has hit a sealing and if the GDP per capita is adjusted to express it in US dollars South Africa is moving backwards faster than the Gautrain is moving forward. We take a look. |
GDP growth rates per president
The line graph below shows the quarterly economic growth rate over time, with different colours representing different presidents. As can be seen from the graph that for most presidents the economy dipped into negative territory at least once. Some of out being brought about by massive global economic events such as the Dotcom bubble bursting and the subprime mortage crises that lead to the financial crises which affacted the whole world in 2008 to 2010. However under president Jacob Zuma's watch, the economy has dipped into negative territory three times already. Not exactly a sign of a healthy and strong and growing economy
GDP per capita per year
The graphic below shows South Africa's GDP per capita per year. GDP per capita is the size of South Africa's economy divided by the number of people living in South Africa. So essentially what is the South African economy worth per person in South Africa.
From the graphic above it is clear that under Thabo Mbeki's presidency South Africa enjoyed a massive surge in it's GDP per capita. However since the financial crisis South Africa has struggled to regain the momentum experienced under Thabo Mbeki, and under president Zuma's leadership South Africans have seen virtually no growth in GDP per capita, infact the GDP per capita has been declining under Zuma's leadership. No other president since democracy can say the same.
Part of the reason for the decline in South Africa's GDP per capita in recent years is the fact that economic growth has been a case of low to no growth, while South Africa's population has been increasing steadily. If economic growth does not surpass that of the population, the GDP per capita will decline. And all that means is that more people are sharing a pie that is not growing, and because of this, the size of the economy per person is declining. Essentially South Africans are less well off as the GDP per capita declines.
Part of the reason for the decline in South Africa's GDP per capita in recent years is the fact that economic growth has been a case of low to no growth, while South Africa's population has been increasing steadily. If economic growth does not surpass that of the population, the GDP per capita will decline. And all that means is that more people are sharing a pie that is not growing, and because of this, the size of the economy per person is declining. Essentially South Africans are less well off as the GDP per capita declines.
Exchange Rate per president
Perhaps the variable that reflects the sentiments of a country the best, a country's exchange rate is a marker for the world's views on a country's political, social and economic circumstances. A country with a stable political and social environment and a growing economy will have a strong exchange rate, as investors like stability and certainty. One thing the markets and investors hate is uncertainty. Any uncertainty in the politcal, social or economic environment will lead to investors shying away from a country, and this will lead to a weaker exchange rate as demand for such a country's currency will fall. Economics 101, if supply remains the same and demand falls, the price will drop. Below the line graph showing the performance of South Africa's currency each year up to 2016 (data up to July 2016 was used to estimate for 2016).
While the government will claim the exchange rate's performance is due to a strong dollar, emerging market risk aversion, commodity price slump lowering demand for the South African currency, they cannot dispute the fact that since Jacob Zuma took over as president of South Africa, the currency has been slaughtered. And with political infighting, "invisible hands" and state capture, crony capitalism and general lack of good governance withing government, the world is sending the ruling party in South Africa a very clear message with the current level the exchange rate is sitting at. Pull your socks up or you in for a whole world of pain.
A ratings downgrade seems all the more imminent due to the "Zuma camp" continued efforts to target finance minister Pravin Gordhan. And this all so that racketeering and further looting of state coffers can take place to the benefit of a select few, while the country as a whole will suffer for years if our ratings are downgraded. A few things the factions within the ANC needs to consider before continuing down this path. If South Africa is downgraded to "junk" status the following will likely happen:
A ratings downgrade seems all the more imminent due to the "Zuma camp" continued efforts to target finance minister Pravin Gordhan. And this all so that racketeering and further looting of state coffers can take place to the benefit of a select few, while the country as a whole will suffer for years if our ratings are downgraded. A few things the factions within the ANC needs to consider before continuing down this path. If South Africa is downgraded to "junk" status the following will likely happen:
- Exchange rate will hit levels never seen before. It will make "Nenegate" look like a picnic.
- Inflation will skyrocket. As all imports will become way more expensive. Including crude oil which is the life blood of any economy as it powers most vehicles and machines.
- Interest rates will see massive hikes. The Reserve Bank will try and curb inflation by raising interest rates. Indirectly trying to protect the Rand so we import less inflation
- Government debt will become way more expensive to pay off overnight. Taking on new debt will be harder and cost a lot more. How will government finance that? Raise taxes? South Africa is already seeing a tax revolt. Think E-tolls. Cant keep milking a cow if there is no milk left. South Africa has been milking a small part of the population with taxes for far to long. Our tax net is not wide enough and is already unsustainable.
- Since government has to pay more money to service debt, there will be less money to provide services to it's citizens. And this will lead to more protest actions and riots. And eventually voters will finally be fed up with the government of the day, and they might finally decide that a new ruling party is needed to run this country.
So be careful those who are playing the factions game within the ANC. Because you might be cutting your nose to spite your face. The gain of a few citizens in a country will never outweigh the greater good for all the citizens in a country.