SA suffers shock recession
Edward West, The Witness
South Africa unexpectedly entered a recession on Tuesday, with a 0,7% quarterly contraction in GDP in the first three months of 2017.
When an economy goes into recession, businesses — local and foreign — become reluctant to invest, unemployment increases …Read More
Homeowners in deep debt
Hard-pressed South Africans are so worried about losing their homes that they are turning to unsecured debt providers to servicetheir homeloan payments.
South African consumers are R1.66 trillion in the red, according to the National Credit Regulator (NCR).
The latest data also notes that …Read More
2017 may not be any easier
The slowing in monthly real retail sales growth suggests a possible tough year for retailers
THE year 2016 will go down as a really tough year for the business community in Pietermaritzburg and the broader Midlands as demand slowed in line with the …Read More
New year is the busiest season for debt rescue firms. Don’t fall into the trap
With shopping malls expected to be filled to the brim this December, many people are about to splurge on Christmas shopping, plunging themselves into debt by purchasing expensive gifts for loved ones.
According to Neil Roets, chief executive of Debt Rescue, January and …Read More
Trump victory sets rand on slippery slope
The surprise victory by Donald Trump in the US presidential race could have negative consequences for indebted South African consumers. Trump’s uncertain policy stance will upset the establishment in Washington to the point that nobody knows exactly which direction he will follow, …Read More
Here’s why the petrol price is about to spike
Motorists lined up at petrol stations in South Africa on Tuesday evening to fill up their tanks before increased fuel prices kicked in at midnight.
On Friday the Department of Energy announced petrol hikes of 52 cents per litre for petrol of all …Read More
Interest rate hike another blow for SA
THE Reserve Bank’s announcement of a 50 basis point increase in the repo interest rate is another blow to the economy and consumers.
Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago on Thursday cited concerns about rising inflation and the devaluation of the rand as reasons …Read More
Days of hunger looming
Edward West, The Witness
The prices of many vegetables have increased sharply in the three months to January 2016, while the price of maize meal, the staple food of most South Africans, was 21,5% higher per 25?kg bag in January 2016 when compared …Read More
Interest rates pushed up!
LESETJA Kganyago, governor of the Reserve Bank, yesterday announced a hike in the repo rate to 6,75%. This means the prime lending rate will now be 10,25%.
The rand strengthened as Kganyago was speaking.
Ahead of the announcement, debt experts warned that a hike …Read More
South Africa: Consumers Squeezed to the Max This Year – Debt Expert
The continuous drought, the likelihood of an electricity price hike and the probability of a tax increase early this year is going to squeeze consumers to the maximum, according to Neil Roets of Debt Rescue.
He said the depreciation of the rand will …Read More
