Editor's Thoughts.

So we have woken up over the past two mornings to a fundamentally different American political landscape. What was once red, is now blue and words like “punishing”, “sweeping” and my personal favourite “decisive rebuke” have been used to describe the peoples’ vote for change (ie not-Donald). Peter Little (Anchor Capital) cautions against equating America’s “blue wave” with sweeping policy change: Trump retains executive and veto powers. Greater congressional scrutiny, however, could shift conditions for AI, healthcare and clean energy.

Speaking of clean energy, we’ve dropped the final episode of Heatwave Horizons on EBnet.Stream today, where Leon extends the conversation on climate action. Sanlam’s John Anderson, chair of ASSA’s Sustainability Committee, and Just Share’s Nicole Martens take stock of mitigation, adaptation and what industry and country must do for a smoother transition.

On elections closer to home, after a great voter turnout in yesterday’s municipal elections, we’ll spend the day watching the results. Among the (many) key issues, are the results in Joburg and Cape Town.

To me, both the US mid-terms and the SA local government elections have been about who not to vote for, rather than voting for a compelling alternative for real change. Sure, elections change who holds power. But what matters next is how that power affects livelihoods, investment and financial security, and ultimate sustainability.

And I’m just not sure we’ve achieved that.

One policy decision that I know is on your mind is the access to retirement pots in times of financial hardship. Denver Keswell (Nedgroup Investments) balances how preventing destitution matters, but temporary cashflow relief is not lasting debt repair. Future retirement income carries the cost. Again, it feels like a “not this but also not that” choice.

Different ballots, policies and time horizons. Real consequences though.

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