Crippling Debt versus Godly Contentment

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Paul Schlehlein

— Richard Peskett

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Ayana (her name has been changed to protect her anonymity) was so grateful to her boss for her Christmas bonus that she knelt on the ground to thank her. Yet before the end of the month, all this extra money had been spent on “things” that she delighted to boast about on social media. One month later, and she was in debt again.

The debt that Ayana experiences is like a dark hole from which it is impossible to escape. Such personal debt enslaves a person; it brings sorrow, anxiety, and even despair. And it is all too common in Africa.

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KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD: WHY GOVERNMENTS SHOULD NOT RELY ON NATIONAL DEBT TO FUND EXPENDITURE

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Paul Schlehlein

–– Warrick Jubber

Audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Hezekiah was a faithful king and one of the best to rule over Judah. 2 Kings 18:3 records that, “He did what was right in the sight of Yahweh, according to all that David his father had done.” Nevertheless, he foolishly let an envoy from Babylon explore his kingdom and even the treasuries of Jerusalem. Isaiah confronted him with the consequence of a future Babylonian invasion that would include the capture and captivity of his sons. Isaiah 39:8 records that Hezekiah responded with the words, “‘The word of Yahweh which you have spoken is good.’ For he said, ‘For there will be peace and truth in my days.’” Hezekiah was relieved that he and his generation wouldn’t suffer the Babylonian invasion. As we would say, he kicked the can down the road and left his sons and their generation to deal with the consequences of his folly.

This seems to be the attitude of many governments around the world, especially in Africa, as they recklessly spend on government projects that leave future generations to deal with the consequences.

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Our Dire Debt Dilemma

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Paul Schlehlein

–– Mark Christopher

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Proverbs 22:7 declares the following truism: “The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” This truism extends to individuals and governments alike. Last week’s mid-term budget speech on November 1^st by the minister of finance was a good reminder of the peril of falling prey to the pernicious consequences of the debt cycle whereby more is spent than one has money for.

Over the last several years, the South African government has continued to spend far more than it collects in annual tax revenue. This has snowballed with government having to borrow money it doesn’t have to make up for the annual shortfalls. This money is borrowed from various global financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The South African government is now nearly 5 trillion rands in debt and growing annually. Since the budget speech in February of this year, the debt has grown by another 250 billion rands. This means that every man, woman, and child in South Africa owes 83,333.00 rands per person (calculated by 60 million people).

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TARIF: Why South Africa Needs Savers

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Paul Schlehlein

The Africa Review in Five highlights African current affairs from a Christian perspective. Listen and subscribe through Youtube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Today is Friday, September 22^nd, A.D. 2023. This is The Africa Review in Five, written by Paul Schlehlein and presented by Yamikani Katunga.

Why South Africa Needs Savers

According to Business Tech in May 2023, South Africa saves at a shockingly low level compared to its market peers.

You can determine savings rates by subtracting the consumption costs from your income and then dividing it again by your income. For example, if you make R10,000 a month and spend R9,000 that month, your savings rate is 10%.

Countries like Brazil, South Korea, the United States, the Eurozone, and India all have savings rates above 10%. South Africa’s savings rate is 1%.

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TARIF: Silly Student Loans – Diabetes Expanding – Aging Population Grows

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Paul Schlehlein

The Africa Review in Five highlights African current affairs from a Christian perspective. Listen and subscribe through Youtube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Today is Friday, June 16th, A.D. 2023. This is The Africa Review in Five, written by Paul Schlehlein and presented by Yamikani Katunga

Silly Student Loans

According to the Nigerian Premium Times, on Monday, June 12th, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu signed into law a bill to establish a Students Loan Fund to provide interest-free loans to Nigerians seeking higher education.

But contrary to popular opinion, these interest-free student loans are most likely unwise, not only in Nigeria but worldwide. Why? Because there is little chance these loans will be repaid. This is for three reasons.

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