SOUTH Africa has unveiled a surprisingly wide trade surplus of R2.6bn in October after an unexpected deficit in September, adding momentum to a recovery in the volatile rand and government debt markets. Economists had forecast a much more modest surplus of R746m during the month, but currency weakness helped boost the value of mineral exports, the figures from the South African Revenue Service showed. Economists said the figures sent a reassuring message that the size of South Africa’s current account deficit for the year would probably remain modest, despite a widening seen during the third quarter. – Reuters