South African Economy
latest news & developments
Standard Bank sees property ‘purple patch’ as it joins forces with Java Capital
Standard Bank has teamed up with corporate finance advisory firm Java Capital, anticipating a multi-year revival in South Africa's commercial real estate market despite…
SA recovery remains mainly jobless
The country lost 345 000 jobs in the first quarter of 2026 as unemployment climbed to 32.7%, exposing the gap between economic stabilisation and meaningful employment growth
Eskom profits rise again but tariff hikes remain the real story
The national power utility is heading for a second year of profits but experts say tariff hikes and state bailouts remain central to its financial recovery
Fuel prices to fall sharply, driven by lower global oil markets
From 7 January, 93-grade unleaded petrol will decrease by 62 cents a litre while 95-grade petrol will cost 66 cents less
Prasa achieves first unqualified audit in nine years with 93% performance rate
The state-owned passenger rail agency has a long-term goal of 600 million trips by 2035
Why Southern Africa’s ‘missing middle’ demands urgent action
This group faces systemic barriers in finance and education, hindering economic growth and upward mobility
African Bank to relist on JSE in 2027, CEO Kennedy Bungane says
The bank’s executives say it has fully recovered after being suspended from the stock exchange in 2014 and is on a mission to broaden financial access and inclusion
How Trump’s tariffs exposed South Africa’s strategic trade failures
Missed diversification opportunities cost the country as US tariffs expose trade blunders, risking jobs, stability and billions in exports
Copper will determine South Africa’s digital economy success
The economy is expected to create a jobs boom if the country can fix its electricity grid and meet the increasing demand for local copper beneficiation
Maimane: ‘Whether you and I accept it or not our relations with the US are crucial’
The Build One South Africa leader said South Africa had neglected its relations with the US with the underlying mantra that to be anti-west is to be progressive
Moeletsi Mbeki criticises ‘ruling political elites’ for ‘milking’ South Africa’s economy
The brother of former president Thabo Mbeki said the power of the ruling middle class must be diluted by the poor, the working class and property owners
Budget 3.0 – Godongwana’s last shot
Now that a VAT increase has been ruled out, the finance minister must find another way to plug a R75bn gap or risk collapsing public services and investor confidence
Budget: Building economic resilience through three strategic interventions
Three actions — debt reduction, a youth solidarity tax and limiting increases in public-sector salaries — that could lead to sustainable prosperity
Spinning out of control: McKenzie’s formula for disaster
SA’s sport minister is speeding towards Formula One glory — never mind the potholes, power grid or the fiscal cliff
South Africa needs innovation by design to fix fragile, failing systems
We must go beyond resilience to build systems that can survive disruptions, self-correct and grow better from them, turning stress into strength