Professional services firm PwC has published its latest economic outlook, including forecast scenarios for South Africa’s lockdown levels and their likely impact on the economy.

Mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) shows that fuel prices could decline in October, bringing welcome relief for motorists.

Eskom can’t rely on government bailouts forever, but the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) must also come to the party and allow the power utility to increase prices to match the cost of producing power.

The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) and the Liquor Traders Association of South Africa (LTASA) have published a new report on the impact of the government’s Covid-19 regulations on the liquor industry, with the groups warning that continued restrictions will lead to thousands of job losses.

The Covid-19 third wave has not affected major vegetable produce prices, but there has been high price inflation for certain food commodities over the past year, the Competition Commission said in its latest essential food pricing monitoring report yesterday.

Food prices in South Africa have continued to rise in 2021, with inflation on food and non-alcoholic beverages for July 2021 recorded at 6.7%.

Energy Fund show that – at the current levels of the dollar/rand rate and oil prices – diesel prices may be cut slightly in September, while petrol could be hiked.

The latest food price data from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity group (PMBEJD) shows that outlying and remote areas in South Africa still carry the highest prices for food baskets – while among the major metros, Joburg prices are higher.

South Africa’s well-developed financial system has led to increased access to credit. While this supports economic growth, overextension by households can have unintended negative consequences, says Joseph Phiri, certified financial planner at Alexander Forbes.

Retailers are starting to count the cost of the impact of the past week’s looting and violent protests that ravaged their outlets in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng.

JULY HAS come with severe challenges for South Africa’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which have to face, in addition to an extended lockdown and widespread looting, increases in electricity charges, a hike in property rates and higher fuel prices.

Road carries 80% of South Africa’s goods. Simply put: when trucks stop, South Africa stops. The opportunistic mass looting occurring in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng and the wanton destruction of trucks and goods has spread to the wholesale and retail sectors and distribution centres in these two Provinces – and there is a real and imminent danger this will spread to other Provinces.