economylatest news & developments
Formal-sector employment declined by 14 000 in the second quarter of 2026, while full-time positions fell by 40 000, according to Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES).
QUARTELY

Manufacturing and full-time jobs drive 14 000 decline in Q2 employment

Formal-sector employment fell by 14 000 in the second quarter of 2026, while full-time positions declined by 40 000, according to Stats SA’s Quarterly Employment Statistics.

  • Yogashen Pillay
4 min read
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says government, industry, provinces, municipalities and communities must work together to grow the sector, while digital innovation, domestic travel and visitor safety remain priorities.
TOURISM AND CULTURE

Tourism growth requires government, business and communities to work together

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says government, industry, provinces, municipalities and communities must work together to grow the sector, while digital innovation, domestic…

  • Yogashen Pillay
3 min read
US President Donald Trump addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on September 22, 2026.
MARKETS ON MONDAY

Week of drama ahead for financial markets

Markets shrugged off last week’s Iran shock – but the next few days could put that resilience to the test.

  • Chris Harmse
4 min read
A pour of gold at Pan African Resources’ Mogale Tailings Retreatment plant. South Africa's economy may have been in a far worse situation if not for the rally in precious metals prices this year.
GOLD MINING

Gold rally: What higher prices mean for South Africa

Oil is draining dollars from South Africa. Gold is bringing some of them back.

  • Edward West
5 min read
Oil prices have retreated from recent highs, but supply disruptions, refinery constraints and rand volatility mean relief at the pump could take longer to arrive.
FUEL PRICE

October fuel price hike: Why cheaper oil may not mean cheaper petrol

Brent crude is falling. Your petrol price isn't. Here's why.

  • Ashley Lechman
5 min read
Seeff Property Group chairman Samuel Seeff says the Reserve Bank should hold the repo rate this week, warning that another increase would put further pressure on households, property owners and the economic recovery.
SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK

Property sector urges SA Reserve Bank to hold repo rate and protect fragile economic recovery

Seeff Property Group chairman Samuel Seeff says the Reserve Bank should hold the repo rate this week, warning that another increase would put further pressure on households,…

  • Ashley Lechman
5 min read
Trade Minister Parks Tau says South Africa needs a stronger manufacturing and engineering base to achieve economic growth and create jobs, as government support helps Brimis Engineering expand in Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
MANUFACTURING

Tau says stronger manufacturing base is essential for South Africa’s growth

Trade Minister Parks Tau says South Africa needs a stronger manufacturing and engineering base to expand economic growth and job creation, as government support helps Brimis…

  • Yogashen Pillay
3 min read
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 trade conditions are showing tentative signs of recovery after being battered by the surge in fuel prices earlier this year, but rising crude oil prices and higher fuel costs could put renewed pressure on businesses in the months ahead.
TRADE

Trade improves, but the pressure is not over

South African businesses are starting to see some relief — but the next pressure point may already be building.

  • Yogashen Pillay
4 min read
Brent crude opened the week above $108 a barrel, while the rand weakened against major currencies as investors awaited US and South African interest-rate decisions. Analysts warned that sustained high oil prices could add to inflationary pressure.
OIL

Oil prices climb to four-month high as rand gives back recent gains

Oil prices are rising as South Africa’s economy contracts. Could inflation force the Reserve Bank to raise rates?

  • Ashley Lechman
3 min read
South Africa’s economy contracted by 0.2% in the second quarter, while higher oil prices and a weaker rand put further pressure on financial markets and fuel costs.
MARKET ANALYSIS

Monday Markets: R2/litre petrol shock looms in October

Oil is surging, the rand is weakening and motorists could be in for a nasty October surprise.

  • Chris Harmse
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
A sustained rise in Brent crude towards $120 ((R1944) a barrel could raise fuel prices, inflation and interest-rate pressure in South Africa, while economists differ on whether it would trigger a global recession.
BRENTCRUDE

Oil shock looms: $120-a-barrel forecast sparks stagflation fears for South Africa

Could a sustained rise in Brent crude towards $120 a barrel trigger a global recession?

  • Yogashen Pillay
5 min read
Dr Nik Eberl is the founder and executive chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event). He is also the author of Nation of Champions: How South Africa won the World Cup of Destination Branding.
GDP

Stop trying to rescue yesterday’s economy: start building tomorrow’s

South Africa’s economy contracted by 0.2% in the second quarter of 2026. The challenge, argues Dr Nik Eberl, is not only to repair existing industries but to scale new sectors…

  • Dr Nik Eberl
5 min read
Mining production falls 7.5% in July as manufacturing output rises 1.1%
MINING

Mining production falls 7.5% in July as manufacturing output rises 1.1%

South African mining production contracted sharply in July, led by weaker platinum-group metals, coal and iron ore output, while manufacturing production increased modestly.

  • Yogashen Pillay
3 min read
Brent crude rose above $105 a barrel as attacks on shipping and renewed Middle East hostilities heightened fears of supply disruptions, with possible consequences for South African fuel prices.
CRUDE

Brent crude rises above $105 as Middle East shipping attacks intensify

Brent crude rose above $105 a barrel as attacks on shipping and renewed Middle East hostilities heightened fears of supply disruptions.

  • Ashley Lechman
4 min read
Cape Town ratepayers and civic groups say rising property valuations, municipal charges and housing costs are worsening affordability.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Service delivery v rates: Inside Cape Town’s growing affordability crisis

Cape Town’s affordability debate is intensifying as residents face rising rates, tariffs and property valuations.

  • Ntsikelelo Qoyo
6 min read
Brent crude has moved closer to $100 a barrel as renewed US-Iran tensions disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, raising the risk of another South African fuel-price increase in October.
OIL

Brent nears $100 after Hormuz tensions, raising fuel-price concerns

Brent crude has moved closer to $100 a barrel as renewed US-Iran tensions disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, raising the risk of another South African fuel-price…

  • Ashley Lechman
4 min read
WHEN barriers to entry are strong, existing firms can keep prices higher (or quality lower) because potential rivals cannot enter or expand quickly enough to put real pressure on them.
ECONOMY

Regulatory barriers hurting SA rural, township economies - new report

A Competition Commission report finds that regulatory, market and transport barriers are limiting business growth and consumer choice in South Africa’s townships and rural towns.

  • Given Majola
5 min read
The inaugural State of Medical Schemes Report reveals that almost 9 million South Africans who earn above the tax threshold are choosing not to join medical schemes.
MEDICAL AID CONTRIBUTIONS

Nearly 9 million working South Africans struggle to afford medical aid

An HFA report estimates that 8,79 million South Africans earn above the tax threshold but remain outside medical schemes, as contributions rise faster than many household incomes.

  • Gcwalisile Khanyile
5 min read