Manufacturing production continues downward spiral

Women work at a garment factory. 1 minute Manufacturing production in South Africa has continued its downward trend, slipping by 3,3% year-on-year in January 2025. The largest negative contributions were petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastics division. Meanwhile, the automotive division recorded its ninth consecutive month of year-on-year decline. Director of Industry Statistics at StatSA…

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Varied political reaction to Budget Speech

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivering the Budget Speech 2 minutes Congress of SA Trade Unions (COSATU) says the tabling of the 2025/2026 budget was a difficult one for the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana. The labour federation says it welcomes the budget despite the 0.5 percentage point VAT increase. Parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks says, “It…

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Informal traders express displeasure in VAT increase

Informal traders outside a mall 2 minutes Informal businesses in the Buffalo City Metro in the Eastern Cape have expressed displeasure on the in the VAT increase proposed by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. The Minister said a one-percentage point VAT increase has been envisaged over the next two years, meaning that another half a percentage…

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Treasury expects GDP to grow by 1.9% in 2025

Minister Enoch Godongwana delivers the budget speech in the National Assembly. 2 minutes National Treasury expects the country’s economy to grow by 1.9% in 2025 and to average 1.8% over the next three years. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana revealed this while tabling the National Budget in Parliament. The government says it expects a growth recovery…

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Godongwana optimistic rising debt will be curbed

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivering the Budget Speech 2 minutes Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has reaffirmed government’s determination to ensure sustainable public finances puts South Africa in a stronger position to withstand unforeseen shocks like COVID-19, while creating an environment conducive to higher investment and faster economic growth. The country’s debt remains stubbornly high, the…

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VAT increases to 15.5% in 2025/26 and to 16% in 2026/27

Tax-related material on a desk 2 minutes In efforts to broaden government’s strategy to secure additional funding for several frontline functions, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday increased the value-added tax (VAT) rate by 0.5 percentage points in each of the next two years to 16 percent in 2026/27. In response to the tax increase,…

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Government spending expected to reach R2.4 trillion this year

2 minutes Government spending is expected to reach R2.4 trillion this year, growing at a rate of 5.6% over the next three years. Additional spending requirements came from an extension to the Social Relief of Distress Grant to March next year, above inflation public service wage increases, frontline services, social grants increase and infrastructure among…

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