Economy

Tourism Month Focuses On Economic Recovery And Job Creation

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....

1 month agoSeptember 20, 2026Cape Flats NewsEconomy

Petrol Price Hike of R2 per Litre to Impact Cape Flats from 7 October

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...

1 month agoSeptember 13, 2026Cape Flats NewsEconomy

Petrol Price Increase of R1.34 Per Litre Effective Wednesday

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...

2 months agoSeptember 1, 2026Cape Flats NewsEconomy

Ramaphosa urges cutting red tape to boost township economies at LED summit

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...

2 months agoAugust 30, 2026By Siphiwe DlaminiEconomy

Food Inflation Hits 16-Year Low as Cape Town Food Basket Costs Rise

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...

2 months agoAugust 27, 2026By Layla HadidEconomy

South Africa unemployment rate climbs to 33.6%

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...

2 months agoAugust 12, 2026By Layla HadidEconomy

State-Owned Enterprise Executives Earn Millions Amid Lagging Performance

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...

3 months agoAugust 7, 2026By Siphiwe DlaminiEconomy

Public Servants Association Rejects Creecy Road Accident Fund Fee Proposal

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...

3 months agoJuly 14, 2026By Layla HadidEconomy

South Africa’s Mining Sector Faces Renewed Pressure Amid Global Oil Market Volatility

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...

3 months agoJuly 12, 2026Bobby BoucherEconomy

Kriel’s Former Fentonia Mine Reopens as Asure Colliery to Boost Local Economy

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....

4 months agoJuly 8, 2026By Siphiwe DlaminiEconomy

Gauteng pensioners kept working as grant shortfall continues to bite

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...

4 months agoJuly 7, 2026By Siphiwe DlaminiEconomy

Data Breaches Cost South African Economy R141.96 Billion In Latest Reporting Cycle

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...

4 months agoJuly 6, 2026By Layla HadidEconomy

Local Landlords Face Financial Strain As Tenants Flee Xenophobic Tensions

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...

4 months agoJune 27, 2026Cape Flats NewsEconomy

Fuel prices set for July decrease despite levy reinstatement

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...

4 months agoJune 24, 2026Bobby BoucherEconomy

COSATU protesters march to Reserve Bank for interest rate relief

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...

4 months agoJune 20, 2026By Layla HadidEconomy

National Treasury to finalise basic income policy framework by July

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...

4 months agoJune 18, 2026By Layla HadidEconomy

Artificial Intelligence Boom Fuels Global Market Rally Amid Growing Volatility

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...

4 months agoJune 11, 2026Cape Flats NewsEconomy

Taxi Rivals Unite, Commuters Face Looming Fare Hikes

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...

6 months agoMay 5, 2026Tarryn SeptemberEconomy

South African Inflation Creeps Higher As Services Costs Climb

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...

6 months agoApril 25, 2026Tarryn SeptemberEconomy

25000 Unemployed People Storm Cape Stadium In Desperate Hunt For Work

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...

6 months agoApril 16, 2026Tarryn SeptemberEconomy

Shell Nears $1-Billion Deal To Exit South African Fuel Market

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...

6 months agoApril 15, 2026By Layla HadidEconomy