South Africa’s economy slightly expanded to a growth rate of 1.4% in the third quarter of 2011, Statistics South African said on Tuesday.
This was up from 1.3% in the previous quarter, said Gerhardt Bouwer, executive manager national accounts at Statistics SA in Pretoria.
The largest contributors to growth were finance, real estate and business services, which contributed 0.9 of a percentage point.
The wholesale, retail and motor trade; general government services; and the transport, storage and communication industry all contributed to growth.
The mining industry performed badly in the quarter showing negative growth of 17.4% due to low production in all mining divisions.
“The biggest factor was the strikes,” Bouwer said. — Sapa