Any hope for less beuracracy after elections? Perhaps some reform?

[cyppokagain]

The rand stabilized it seems. My guess Ukraine had a lot impact and relativity in relation to other currencies improved how it looked.

Food prices will accelerate lots of drought problems here in the US and Latin America, Ukraine didn't get enough money to fully sow well, the only countries relatively unaffected Canada, Russia will probably have good pricing. I remember the trend in SA for white maize and wheat wasn't encouraging but perhaps it is getting better.

http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/content/en/ww/ww-investing-in-south-africa

this was sort of interesting law firm info

http://www.ustr.gov/countries-regions/africa/southern-africa/south-africa
Exports

South Africa was the United States' 36th largest goods export market in 2013.

U.S. goods exports to South Africa in 2013 were $7.3 billion, down 3.4% ($259 million) from 2012, but up 159% from 2003.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) for 2013 were: Machinery ($1.6 billion), Precious Stones (gold) ($1.1 billion), Vehicles ($1.0 billion), Electrical Machinery ($418 million), and Optic and Medical Instruments ($362 million).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to South Africa totaled $295 million in 2013. Leading categories includes: dairy products ($28 million), wheat ($25 million), planting seeds ($24 million), and poultry meat ($24 million).

I sense that there will be a big change sooner or later that will make it easier to invest/operate in SA. Eskom will probably be broken up into regionals and/or semi-privatized. (yes your electricity prices aren't going to get better and you can't compare them to New York or even Ukraine, (both have lots of Hydro and Nuclear)

http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-04-28-analysis-eskom-this-is-not-going-to-end-well/#.U2Ge239ZJSo

http://www.miningweekly.com/article/...law-2014-04-30

U.S. oil and gas explorer Anadarko Petroleum said it halted spending on exploration in South Africa until it has more clarity on changes in the petroleum law, which gives the state a 20% stake in new ventures.

South Africa's parliament passed the changes to the law last month, a move industry experts said would discourage investment.

As well as the 20% "free carried interest", the government also introduced a clause entitling it to increase its share of a project by acquiring a greater stake at an agreed price or by production-sharing agreements.

Industry critics of the law say it amounts to nationalisation without appropriate compensation.

http://guardianlv.com/2014/03/south-africa-land-claims-a-damper-on-agricultural-investment/

Might take a while to get to better things.

http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/2014/03/09/too-many-rules-bad-for-would-be-entrepreneurs

Bidvest founder Brian Joffe, who reinforced his reputation as an accomplished deal maker in the past few weeks by gaining control of struggling pharmaceutical giant Adcock Ingram, didn’t beat about the bush: what destroys entrepreneurship is too much governance and regulation.

Ya unfortunately nothing done yet to improve it. Here nor there.

Was curious about the water problems if there are any and are they being resolved etc.

[Dave A]

Any hope for less bureaucracy after the elections?
Not much, frankly.

It would take a big shift in election results to see any kind of serious shift in the general policy trends we're seeing at the moment.

[desA]

I get the distinct impression that SA has not yet hit rock bottom in its transition curve, from old to new dispensation.

Nigeria took more than 50 years. SA may have another 30 years to go!

[wynn]

They say the Romans became Italians when they ignored Cicero?
Seems the cANCer is guilty of the same fault, we are destined to become mere Africans.

[desA]

Absolutely awesome. Utter collapse must logically follow.