South Africa Records 0.4% GDP Growth In Second Quarter
South Africa recorded 0.4% GDP growth in Q2 2026, ending a brief contraction as the government accelerates structural reforms in energy and rail logistics.
South Africa recorded 0.4% GDP growth in Q2 2026, ending a brief contraction as the government accelerates structural reforms in energy and rail logistics.
MEC Madoda Sambatha has provided new tractors and implements to Tigane farmers to increase food security and support local Communal Property Associations.
South Africa officially marked the start of Tourism Month on 1 September, launching a nationwide campaign to bolster the domestic travel sector and accelerate economic growth. The initiative, which aligns with World Tourism Day commemorations on 27 September, forms a core component of the country’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan....
By Zainab Daniels Petrol prices could rise by over R2 per litre to record levels on 7 October, according to Central Energy Fund (CEF) data released on 10 September, pushing inland 95-octane to around R28.85 and potentialy setting a new diesel wholesale record above R32 per litre. The hike, driven...
Both grades of petrol will increase by R1.34 per litre from Wednesday, 2 September 2026, according to a media statement from the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources issued on 28 August 2026. The new inland prices set petrol 93 at R26.76 per litre and petrol 95 at R26.92, with...
President Cyril Ramaphosa told delegates at the 2026 National Local Economic Development Summit in Ekurhuleni on 15 April 2026 that cutting red tape is essential to unlock township economies and enable informal traders and small entrepreneurs to succeed. The summit, convened by the Department of Small Business Development at the...
South Africa’s annual food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation fell to 0.9% in July 2026, its lowest reading in more than 16 years, while household food baskets in Cape Town moved in the opposite direction, rising R26.99 in August. Statistics South Africa released the July Consumer Price Index on 19 August...
South Africa’s official unemployment rate has risen to 33.6%, with young people aged 15 to 24 remaining the most severely affected cohort in the labour market. The latest figures were confirmed on 12 August 2026, highlighting a persistent failure to absorb new entrants into the formal economy. Economic Policy And...
Top executives at South African state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are earning up to R15.5 million annually, with some pocketing R42,400 per day even as their companies struggle with operational failures. A recent analysis conducted by GroundUp and The Outlier on 7 August 2026 reveals that managers at these entities earn, on...
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has proposed a new vehicle-linked fee to fund the Road Accident Fund (RAF), seeking an alternative to the current fuel levy system. The move, intended to restructure the fund’s struggling finances, has drawn immediate criticism from the Public Servants Association (PSA) for its potential impact on...
South Africa’s mining industry faces significant financial strain as global crude oil prices remain elevated, driven by ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East. Following the onset of military action involving Iran and the US in February 2026, Brent crude prices reached approximately $126 per barrel in April 2026, forcing...
The Fentonia coal mine in Kriel, Mpumalanga, which ceased operations in 2018, has officially reopened as the Asure Colliery, a move set to create approximately 150 direct jobs. Asure Resources confirmed that the facility has already commenced hiring across multiple departments, including mining operations, engineering, maintenance, administration, security, and logistics....
Rising inflation and the escalating cost of living are forcing many South African pensioners, including those in Gauteng, to return to full-time employment despite having reached the official retirement age. As of 2026, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant for individuals aged 60 to 74 is fixed at...
South Africa’s economy faces an estimated annual loss of R141.96 billion, or approximately 1.81% of GDP, due to the surge in data breaches during the 2025/26 reporting period. Analysis by Cube ICT Solutions reached this figure by multiplying the average cost of a single breach—estimated at R44.1 million by the...
Low-income South African households across the Cape Flats and neighbouring townships are reporting significant financial strain as foreign nationals vacate rental properties following an increase in xenophobic rhetoric and incidents of public violence. Since May 2023, homeowners who rely on the rental income generated from backyard dwellings have faced mounting...
South African motorists are expected to see a decrease in fuel prices for July 2026, driven by a combination of lower global oil prices and a resilient rand. This reduction in the pump price comes despite the full reinstatement of the general fuel levy, which takes effect on 1 July...
Members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) marched to the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) headquarters in Pretoria on 17 September 2024 to demand lower interest rates and policy interventions to address the rising cost of living. The protest served as a focal point for a national...
The National Treasury is scheduled to present a comprehensive policy framework regarding the potential implementation of a formal Basic Income Grant (BIG) by July 2026. Treasury officials confirmed this timeline during a recent appearance before the parliamentary Standing Committee on Appropriations, noting that deliberations on funding and sustainability are now...
Significant investments in artificial intelligence continue to drive substantial gains in global stock markets, with technology firms reaping the rewards of increased capital allocation. The rapid surge in demand for generative AI, particularly in data centre infrastructure and specialized semiconductors, has concentrated market wealth within key industry leaders. Market Concentration...
The two largest taxi associations in Cape Town, CATA and CODETA, have reached a peace agreement. Commuters could soon see an increase in taxi fares. The announcement follows a high-level meeting between the rival groups. Historic Agreement Reached CATA and CODETA, long-time competitors in the minibus taxi industry, have agreed...
Consumer prices in South Africa rose marginally during March. Annual inflation reached three point one percent, marking a modest uptick from the previous month’s three percent figure. The monthly increase of zero point six percent reflects growing pressure across several key sectors of the economy. Housing, utilities, food, and financial...
Panic gripped Athlone Stadium on Thursday morning. Twenty-five thousand desperate job seekers overwhelmed security barriers at a municipal recruitment event that was only designed to accommodate a small fraction of that number. The City of Cape Town had organized the Day Of One Thousand Opportunities specifically to fill contact center...
One of the world’s largest energy conglomerates is preparing to divest its extensive retail network across Africa’s most industrialized economy. Shell is currently engaged in advanced negotiations with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company regarding the sale of approximately 600 petrol stations throughout South Africa, a transaction that would mark one...
Drivers across South Africa face unprecedented financial pressure. The Central Energy Fund has released alarming data indicating that diesel prices could climb by nearly R10 per litre when April adjustments take effect. This surge stems from sustained instability in Middle Eastern oil markets, which continues to disrupt global supply chains...
Brent Crude has maintained levels above $100 per barrel throughout the latter half of this week. Market anxiety surrounding an extended Middle East conflict continues to drive this upward momentum. The implications for local fuel budgets are severe. Current fuel prices, effective from March 4, were calculated using an oil...
South Africa’s agricultural sector is voicing worries about the effects of the Gulf War on its exports. Rising instability in the Middle East is causing uncertainty for local producers. Economists are warning that these tensions could have broader economic consequences. Export Challenges For Fresh Produce Farmers and exporters in South...
South African drivers are bracing for higher fuel costs from Wednesday, March 4, as month-end data signals the end of a four-year low in petrol and diesel prices. The Central Energy Fund figures point to petrol increases of 21 cents for 95 Unleaded and 18 cents for 93 Unleaded. Diesel...
South Africa’s economic trajectory has once again become the subject of intense national scrutiny following projections that growth will gradually rise by 0.2 percentage points annually to reach 2% by 2028. The forecast, delivered by the National Treasury, paints a picture of slow but measurable recovery in a country burdened...
For years, Walmart’s presence in South Africa was felt quietly through its stake in Makro and Game, shaping strategy from behind the scenes while local brands carried the public identity. That era has now shifted dramatically. The American retail heavyweight has opened its first fully branded stores in Gauteng, at...
South Africans are bracing for higher costs at the pump as government plans to raise fuel and Road Accident Fund (RAF) levies in the upcoming budget. This move comes shortly after a period of relief from recent fuel price decreases. Many are concerned that these increases will add to the...