Our Africa

Ricardo Smith, CIO at Absa Investments, unpacks South Africa’s sixth straight quarter of GDP growth — and why households aren’t feeling it. We explore flat consumption, weak investment, rising fuel prices, the SARB’s rate hike, and what all of this means for income, confidence and debt exposure heading into Q2.

Hollywoodbets’ Devin Heffer takes us inside the extraordinary revival of South African horse racing. The Hollywoodbets Durban July is now edging toward a R1 billion economic contribution — a dramatic turnaround for an industry nearly wiped out by the Steinhoff fallout and the pandemic. Heffer explains how the Durban July has…

NADA Chairperson Brandon Cohen unpacks South Africa’s remarkable new‑vehicle market performance. We explore why consumers are returning to trusted brands, how affordability pressures shape buying behaviour, the rise of Chinese manufacturers, and the booming demand for used commercial vehicles. Cohen also outlines the risks and opportunities for H2 2026

PwC Chief Economist Lullu Krugel unpacks South Africa’s slowing but still‑intact recovery as the country enters H2 2026. We explore the cost‑push shock from Middle East tensions, the rand’s volatility, rising input costs, and the implications of a 7% repo rate. Krugel breaks down sector winners and laggards, inflation risks,…

Absa Economist Sello Sekele unpacks June’s PMI decline from 50.8 to 47.3, the impact of easing Middle East tensions on fuel prices, the sharp drop in purchasing price pressures, weakening demand as buyers delay purchases, and why employment and inventories point to continued strain in South Africa’s manufacturing sector.