Frank BlackmoreIn the news
SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago. File picture: Simphiwe Mbokazi
INTEREST RATE

Brace yourself, South Africa: a rate hike could be on the cards this week

Economists unpack the forces that could shape the Reserve Bank’s interest rate decision.

  • Ashley Lechman
6 min read
South Africa’s inflation rate fell sharply to 4.3% in July, but rising oil prices and higher fuel costs could push inflation higher again in the months ahead.
INFLATION

South Africa inflation outlook in focus as oil prices put pressure on September rate decision

South Africa’s inflation eased to 4.3% in July, but higher oil and fuel prices could slow further progress ahead of the Reserve Bank’s September interest-rate decision.

  • Ashley Lechman
4 min read
Consumers face mounting pressure.
GDP

GDP contraction puts pressure on South African consumers

South Africa’s latest economic number tells a bigger story.

  • Ashley Lechman
5 min read
Petrol prices will rise by R1.34 a litre and diesel by up to R3.15 from Wednesday, 2 September, adding pressure to household and transport budgets.
FUEL PRICE

Spring brings pain at the pumps as fuel prices increase for September

Petrol and diesel prices will rise from Wednesday, 2 September, adding pressure to household and transport budgets.

  • Ashley Lechman
4 min read
Lesetja Kganyago, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. The South African rand has shown unexpected strength, raising speculation about a potential reduction in the repo rate. This article explores the economic factors at play and what they mean for consumers and businesses alike.
SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK

Could the strengthening rand lead to a repo rate cut?

The South African rand has shown unexpected strength, raising speculation about a potential reduction in the repo rate. This article explores the economic factors at play and…

  • Ashley Lechman
5 min read
Statistics South Africa reported a decrease in Consumer Price Inflation for July, yet consumers continue to face rising costs, particularly in fuel and essential goods.
INFLATION

Despite CPI decline, South Africans brace for higher fuel prices

Statistics South Africa reported a decrease in Consumer Price Inflation for July, yet consumers continue to face rising costs, particularly in fuel and essential goods.

  • Ashley Lechman
5 min read
As unemployment grows so does the advancement of AI make the first rung of the ladder for youth to enter the job market.
SOUTH AFRICA

Women, youth, unemployment and AI: an unhappy alliance

As South Africa’s unemployment rate rises to 33.6%, youth advocacy groups are calling for urgent reforms to prepare young people for a labour market increasingly shaped by…

  • Ashley Lechman
6 min read
The City of Johannesburg.
UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS

What South Africa’s economic headlines told us this week

Weak economic growth, pressure on manufacturing and rising unemployment continue to weigh on South Africa, although July payment data points to some resilience in the economy.

  • Ashley Lechman
  • Yogashen Pillay
5 min read