April 08
South Africa: Keith Helfet, the Man Who Designed SA's Elusive Electric Car
The search for the Joule, South Africa's only electric car, led to a conversation with the legendary designer of some of the world's most beautiful sports cars, Keith Helfet. The… Read more »
April 04
South Africa: Broadening a Mighty Range - The New Ford Ranger Tremor and Platinum
South Africa's bakkie-mad market has just got even more competitive with the launch of Ford SA's locally produced Ranger Tremor and upmarket Ranger Platinum. Read more »
March 14
South Africa: Mixed Bag - SA's January Mining Output Slumps, but Manufacturing Grows
The first big data bite of the industrial arms of South Africa's economy for 2024 showed a melange, with mining production falling in January while manufacturing output gained… Read more »
November 09, 2023
South Africa: Dismal September Mining and Manufacturing Data Bode Ill for Third-Quarter GDP
Diamonds led the fall in mining production, with a plunge in output of 61.4% year on year in September. This comes against the backdrop of a global slump in prices and demand. Read more »
October 02, 2023
South Africa: Surge in Power Cuts Undermines Absa PMI in September, Manufacturing Output Likely Contracted in Q3
The Absa Purchasing Managers' Index sank over 4 points in September as the level of rolling blackouts intensified, fuel prices spiked and demand sagged in the EU and UK.… Read more »
September 14, 2023
South Africa: SA Mining Output Falls in July and Manufacturing Growth Slows, Signalling Fragile Start for Q3 GDP
As rolling power cuts intensified in September, data this week showed that the economy's industrial arms got off to a faltering start in the third quarter (Q3) of this year. Mining… Read more »
August 24, 2023
South Africa: South African Clothing Retailers Losing Lustre in Face of Shein Juggernaut
The China-based ultra low-cost fast fashion retailer might have a growing market in South Africa, but it's putting the squeeze on local retailers. Read more »
August 10, 2023
South Africa: Robust SA June Manufacturing, Mining Data Underscore Private Power Generation, Hold Promise for Q2 Growth
Relatively robust mining and manufacturing data for June suggest that South Africa's economy probably expanded again in the second quarter (Q2) though it's still not shooting the… Read more »
July 03, 2023
South Africa: Absa Purchasing Managers' Index Falls to 47.6 in June, Lowest Level in Two Years
The Absa Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), a key indicator of the manufacturing sector's health, declined 1.6 points in June to 47.6, its lowest level since mid-2021. Read more »
June 01, 2023
South Africa: Manufacturing Index Falls Further Into Negative Territory in May
The Absa Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), a key barometer of confidence in the manufacturing sector, declined in May to 49.2 from 49.8 in April. This signals that manufacturing… Read more »
February 19, 2023
South Africa: SA Bottled Water Association Fires Back Over Claims of 'Toxic' Mineral Water
SA water producers say researchers from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University misunderstood and misinterpreted the results of their own study. Read more »
September 06, 2022
South Africa: The Foschini Group's Latest Acquisition Set to Boost Furniture and Textile Jobs
The local furniture and textile manufacturing industry is set to receive a welcome boost following final Competition Commission approval for The Foschini Group to acquire Tapestry… Read more »
August 01, 2022
South Africa: Absa PMI Sinks Back Into Negative Territory, Signalling a Looming Recession
The Absa Purchasing Managers' Index maintained its downward slide in July, falling below the neutral 50-point level for the first time since July of last year when the economy was… Read more »
July 28, 2022
South Africa: SA Factory Gate Prices Jumped 16.2 Percent in June, the Fastest Rate in 14 Years
South Africa's producer price index sprinted on an annual basis to 16.2% in June, its highest level in almost 14 years, from 14.7% in May. Roaring oil and food prices remain the… Read more »
July 03, 2022
South Africa: Absa PMI Dips in June, Signalling Deterioration in Manufacturing Demand and Activity
The Absa Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) declined slightly in June to 52.2 points, which is no train smash as it at least remains in positive territory. But the business activity… Read more »
June 13, 2022
South Africa: The Inevitable and Unsurmountable Rise of China Is Put to the Test By the Foschini Group
To me, the strange thing about history is not that it repeats itself, or that nobody learns from it, or some other trite adage. The incredible thing is that nobody seems to learn… Read more »
June 09, 2022
South Africa: Mining and Manufacturing Production Crash in April
After a buoyant first quarter that saw the economy expand faster than expected and the current account surplus widen, a spate of data strongly suggests that the party came crashing… Read more »