By Aviwe Mtila

While South Africa’s economic and political woes are facing prospects of a new dawn with its recent change in leadership, a lot of uncertainty still lies ahead.

As the country’s Finance Minister, Malusi Gigaba, tabled his maiden budget speech in parliament on Wednesday, rating agencies, investors and the world are watching closely like a teacher with a red pen in hand.

The decisions and direction South Africa takes going forward will be crucial in steering the country out of its ailing economy in to the road of growth and prosperity.

South Africa’s Budget 2018 noted the following as risks to the economic and fiscal outlook: