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I am Zimasa Vabaza, more commonly known as @mooshtaffa on social media. I created this platform because of the love I have for simplifying socio-economic knowledge around South Africa, SADC, Africa, & the globe. Here we cover small & big stories that matter—stories that you should know but from a different, less explored perspective. We also host podcast-style conversations with interesting people. We hope you will watch, engage, and enjoy.

  1. #SHSI Episode 63 - Tito Mboweni Was Right - Why Starting From Zero Could Save South Africa's Budget!

    12/15/2025

    #SHSI Episode 63 - Tito Mboweni Was Right - Why Starting From Zero Could Save South Africa's Budget!

    What if South Africa's biggest budget problem isn't that we don't have enough money, but that we're spending it all wrong? In this video, we're breaking down Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) – a revolutionary approach that could transform how our government manages R2.60 trillion in public funds.For decades, South African government departments have operated on autopilot, automatically rolling over last year's budget with a little extra for inflation. This incremental approach has created what experts call "holy cows" – programs that are immune to scrutiny simply because they existed before. The result? Rising irregular and wasteful expenditure, R424.2 billion in debt-service costs, and citizens who aren't getting value for their tax money.The late Finance Minister Tito Mboweni saw this problem clearly. In 2020, during the pandemic lockdowns, he called for Zero-Based Budgeting to cut through layers of wasteful expenditure. Unfortunately, he didn't get the political support needed to make it happen. But the fiscal pressures he warned about have only intensified, making ZBB more necessary than ever.So what exactly is Zero-Based Budgeting? Instead of asking "How much more do we need this year?" ZBB forces every department to start from scratch and justify every single rand. Programs must prove their worth, demonstrate measurable impact, and compete for funding based on value for money. It's a complete reset that could reallocate billions from outdated programs to modern priorities.In this video, we explore:Why incremental budgeting is broken and perpetuates wasteHow Zero-Based Budgeting works in practice (the 4-step process)What ZBB could mean for our R1.52 trillion in social servicesThe political challenges that blocked Mboweni's visionWhether our current Government of National Unity has the courage to implement itWe break down real numbers from South Africa's budget – from the R298.9 billion health allocation to the R508.7 billion learning and culture budget – and ask the tough questions about whether we're getting adequate returns on these massive investments.This isn't just about saving money – it's about building a government that actually works for South Africans. Join us as we explore whether starting from zero could be the beginning we desperately need.Drop your thoughts in the comments: Do you think our political leaders have the courage to implement Zero-Based Budgeting?

    18 min
  2. #SHSI Episode 62 - The Data Behind Cape Town's Tech Takeover!

    11/27/2025

    #SHSI Episode 62 - The Data Behind Cape Town's Tech Takeover!

    Is Cape Town already Africa's Silicon Valley? In this deep dive, we break down the data behind Cape Town's explosive tech growth and why international companies from Amazon to Canadian startups are choosing the Mother City over established global hubs.We explore:The infrastructure that increased bandwidth by 1,000xWhy the Cape Town-Stellenbosch corridor employs more tech workers than Nairobi and Lagos combinedHow 450 tech firms and 40,000+ employees are reshaping Africa's tech landscapeThe talent pipeline producing 12,000+ STEM graduates annuallyInvestment flows: $88 million into Cape Town startups in 2020 aloneSuccess stories: From Yoco to Takealot to Future ForexInternational recognition from Financial Times, World Bank, and Startup GenomeWith 60% of South Africa's startups, 38% of the country's developers, and over 30 venture capital firms including Naspers, Cape Town isn't trying to become a tech hub—it already is one.The numbers don't lie: African startup ecosystems are worth $6.6 billion, and Cape Town is leading the charge. This is the story of how one city moved past potential and into performance.

    13 min
  3. #SHSI Episode 61 - The South African Township Property Story No One's Telling

    11/27/2025

    #SHSI Episode 61 - The South African Township Property Story No One's Telling

    South Africa's Township Property RevolutionThe R585,000 Investment Opportunity Everyone's MissingWhile everyone's focused on Sandton and Camps Bay, a R20+ billion property market is booming right under our noses. Women are leading 55% of purchases, the average buyer is 38 with a R43,800 income, and properties have doubled in value over a decade.We dive deep into exclusive data from Lightstone and BetterBond revealing:How Soweto became South Africa's wealthiest township (R585,000 avg property value)Why 86% of township bonds happen in just TWO areasThe female-dominated investment trend changing everythingProperty appreciation rates that rival equity marketsMigration patterns reshaping South Africa's urban futureKey Findings:2.5 million people live in just three townships (Soweto, Umlazi, Khayelitsha)52% of buyers aged 30-39 (prime earning years)Cape Town properties cost 7X more than KhayelitshaAthlone values doubled from R750k to R1.6m in 10 yearsOnly 14% of bonds exceed R1 millionThis isn't about affordable housing—it's about smart wealth building.

    12 min
  4. #SHSI Episode 60 - Why Cape Town's Housing & Property Crisis Is Pricing Out MOST South Africans

    10/29/2025

    #SHSI Episode 60 - Why Cape Town's Housing & Property Crisis Is Pricing Out MOST South Africans

    Why Cape Town is Pricing Out an Entire Generation | The Housing Crisis ExplainedCape Town's rental prices have jumped 24% since 2018, reaching R10,875 per month – the highest in South Africa. Property values have surged 160% since 2010. But while politicians blame digital nomads and propose rent control, the evidence tells a completely different story.In this video, we break down the real reasons behind Cape Town's housing crisis and why an entire generation of Born Frees – young South Africans who were supposed to inherit a country without spatial restrictions – are being systematically priced out of the city they work in.We explore:The shocking rental and property price increases across Cape TownWhy rent control would make things worse (with evidence from Argentina and Germany)The real solution: Build, Baby, BuildHow regulatory red tape is strangling housing supplyWhy the Born Free generation is struggling to access homeownershipThe gap between government promises and actual housing deliveryThis isn't about blaming individuals – it's about understanding the systems that created this crisis and what the evidence says will actually fix it.📊 Key Stats Referenced:Western Cape average rent: R10,875/month (2024)Cape Town property prices up 160% since 201075% of Cape Town households earn less than R18,000/monthForeign buyers account for 40% of purchases over R10 million

    17 min
  5. #SHSI Episode 59 - Can South Africa Rebuild Its Railways? The Durban Story | Part 2

    10/27/2025

    #SHSI Episode 59 - Can South Africa Rebuild Its Railways? The Durban Story | Part 2

    Durban's commuter rail network is moving again. After years of collapse, vandalism, and devastating floods, trains are reconnecting KwaZulu-Natal's communities with economic opportunity—one journey at a time.This is Part 2 of our four-part series documenting South Africa's railway transformation. We're riding the rails through Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and the Western Cape to understand what collapsed, what's been rebuilt, and what it means for millions who depend on affordable transport.THE KWAZULU-NATAL STORYKwaZulu-Natal's rail recovery faces challenges unlike any other region. Coastal infrastructure exposed to harsh marine environments. Flood damage from the April 2022 disaster that destroyed bridges and washed away tracks. A network connecting sprawling townships like Umlazi—one of South Africa's largest—to Durban's port economy.The Umlazi-Durban corridor is the backbone of KZN's rail network, serving hundreds of thousands of commuters who were abandoned when trains stopped running. For workers earning R5,000-R8,000 monthly, the difference between a R24 train fare and R50+ taxi fare isn't convenience—it's economic survival.WHAT YOU'LL SEE IN THIS EPISODEThe critical Umlazi corridor restoration and what it means for township communitiesHow PRASA rebuilt flood-damaged infrastructure while maintaining operationsThe unique challenges of maintaining coastal rail infrastructureReal commuters explaining how restored trains changed their household economicsModern blue trains (X'Trapolis Mega) manufactured locally in South AfricaPerformance data showing measurable recovery across the KZN networkSpecial event services connecting communities to King's Park Stadium and Moses MabhidaWhat remains to be done and the road ahead for full restoration

    14 min
  6. #SHSI Episode 58 - Why Millions of South Africans Are Returning to Trains | Gauteng + JHB Rail Recovery. Part 1

    10/24/2025

    #SHSI Episode 58 - Why Millions of South Africans Are Returning to Trains | Gauteng + JHB Rail Recovery. Part 1

    In 2020, Johannesburg's train network—South Africa's largest—carried just 2 million passengers. Vandalism had stripped over 1,000 kilometers of copper cable. Stations stood abandoned. Security was absent. The network that once moved 200 million trips annually had collapsed by 99%.By 2025, that same network moved 20 million passengers across 26 restored corridors, achieving 91% on-time performance. This is the story of Gauteng's rail recovery—the largest, most complex commuter rail network in Southern Africa, serving Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Ekurhuleni.This is Part 1 of a four-part series profiling PRASA's rail networks across South Africa's major metros: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape. Each region faces different challenges. Each recovery looks different. But together, they tell the story of whether South Africa can rebuild critical public infrastructure.🚂 KEY STATISTICS:•⁠ ⁠20 million passenger trips in 2024/25 (up from 2 million in 2020/21)•⁠ ⁠26 of 34 corridors now operational•⁠ ⁠91% on-time performance•⁠ ⁠77% of trains arrive within 5 minutes of schedule•⁠ ⁠R24 average train fare vs R50+ taxi fare•⁠ ⁠471 kilometers of operational track•⁠ ⁠115 operational stations📊 THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER:This video breaks down exactly what recovery looks like in data terms—passenger growth, corridor restoration, on-time performance, safety improvements, and the affordability gap that makes rail essential for working South Africans.🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:•⁠ ⁠Why Gauteng's rail network collapsed between 2016-2020•⁠ ⁠How Covid-19 lockdowns enabled systematic infrastructure theft•⁠ ⁠The corridor-by-corridor recovery strategy from 2021-2025•⁠ ⁠Why some lines recovered faster than others•⁠ ⁠Real commuter stories: the R26-per-day difference that matters•⁠ ⁠What 91% on-time performance actually means operationally•⁠ ⁠The security strategy that reduced incidents from 3,387 to under 900•⁠ ⁠Why recovery isn't the same as restoration to historical levels⚠️ THE HONEST ASSESSMENT:20 million trips sounds impressive until you remember this network once moved 200 million trips annually. Recovery is real, but Gauteng is still operating at roughly 10% of historical capacity. This video doesn't sugarcoat—it presents both the genuine progress and the immense distance still to travel.🗺️ COMING NEXT IN THE SERIES:Part 2: KwaZulu-Natal - Floods, Bridges, and the Durban CorridorPart 3: Eastern Cape - The Province Where Trains Simply Disappeared Part 4: Western Cape - Where Recovery Faces Its Toughest Test

    14 min
  7. #SHSI Episode 57 - True or False: Are South Africans Really Spending R1 Trillion+ on Gambling?

    10/24/2025

    #SHSI Episode 57 - True or False: Are South Africans Really Spending R1 Trillion+ on Gambling?

    Are South Africans REALLY Spending R1 Trillion on Gambling? The Truth Behind the HeadlinesHeadlines scream that South Africans are gambling away R1 trillion. Parliamentarians are panicking. Economists are confused. But here's the reality: that number is massively misleading, and the actual story is far more complex—and more troubling—than anyone's telling you.In this video essay, we unpack South Africa's explosive gambling boom that's reshaping our economy and threatening our social fabric. We reveal the truth behind the sensational statistics and explore why sports betting has become the fastest-growing industry in the country.What We Cover:✅ The R1 trillion myth: Why this number is "funny money"✅ Real gambling revenue: R59.3 billion (bigger than stokvels!)✅ Sports betting's 51% growth rate—no other SA industry comes close✅ How the house always wins: The brutal mathematics explained✅ Unemployment + desperation = gambling boom✅ Problem gambling up 500% since 2017✅ Why 63% gamble with money they can't spare✅ Provincial competition: How Mpumalanga is eating Gauteng's lunch✅ The tax debate: Should winnings be taxed?✅ Can this growth be sustained?Key Statistics:Gross gambling revenue: R59.3 billion (FY2023/24)Sports betting growth: 51.2% year-on-yearBetting generates 60.5% of industry revenue (R35.9 billion)Problem gambling prevalence: 31% (up from 6% in 2017)Unemployment rate: 32.1% (youth: 45.5%)56% of punters gamble because they need moneyHouse edge: 3-5% (you lose half your money after 23 bets)Industry employs 35,000+ people directlyFrom Betway's R900 million PSL sponsorship to the mathematics of how online platforms extract R36.9 billion annually, we break down every angle of this controversial industry. We examine why Famous Brands is complaining that gambling is threatening restaurants, how traditional casinos are scrambling to compete, and whether we're witnessing economic opportunity or social disaster.💬 Join the conversation: Is South Africa's gambling boom sustainable? Should we tax individual winnings? What's your view on the connection between economic hardship and gambling? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

    20 min
  8. #SHSI Episode 56 - Inside South Africa's Cinema Collapse: What's Really Happening?

    10/14/2025

    #SHSI Episode 56 - Inside South Africa's Cinema Collapse: What's Really Happening?

    South Africa's cinema industry is in freefall. Over the past decade, we've lost a third of our movie theatres, with iconic venues like Cavendish Square closing their doors forever. But what's really behind this dramatic decline?In this video, we unpack the perfect storm destroying South African cinemas:How Ster-Kinekor and Nu Metro lost 25 cinema locations in 10 yearsTicket prices that have TRIPLED since 2014The Netflix effect and streaming's devastating impactWhy a family night out now costs over R1,000Economic pressures, load shedding, and pandemic falloutThe fight back: Can innovation save our cinemas?From R50 throwback screenings to luxury VIP experiences, we explore how cinema chains are desperately trying to stay relevant in the age of streaming. Is this the end of the big screen experience, or just the beginning of a new chapter?📊 Key Stats:33% reduction in cinema locations (2015-2025)Ster-Kinekor closed 21 theatres (38% decline)Ticket prices increased 100-209% in a decadeGlobal cinema attendance dropped 8.8% in 2024💬 What's your take? When was the last time you went to the cinema?

    11 min
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About

I am Zimasa Vabaza, more commonly known as @mooshtaffa on social media. I created this platform because of the love I have for simplifying socio-economic knowledge around South Africa, SADC, Africa, & the globe. Here we cover small & big stories that matter—stories that you should know but from a different, less explored perspective. We also host podcast-style conversations with interesting people. We hope you will watch, engage, and enjoy.

Information

  • Creator
    Mooshtaffa
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mooshtaffa
  • Show Website
    Mooshtaffa Platforms