Meta Description: How much will South Africa spend on infrastructure over the medium term? The Budget points to more than R1 trillion, with R27.7bn for metro water and power. See the split. Last updated: 8 October 2026 Short Answer The 2026 Budget plans more than R1 trillion of infrastructure spending over the medium term, according […]
Meta Description: Did the 2026 Budget raise VAT or income tax in South Africa? Minister Godongwana ruled out a VAT hike and withdrew R20bn in tax increases. Read the facts and gaps. Last updated: 8 October 2026 Short Answer No, the 2026 Budget did not raise VAT. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana withdrew R20 billion of […]
Meta Description: What is South Africa’s inflation rate in 2026? CPI was 4.4% in August, up from 4.3% in July, after a 5% peak in June. See the target, food prices and limits. Last updated: 8 October 2026 Short Answer South Africa’s consumer price inflation was 4.4% in August 2026, up from 4.3% in July, […]
Meta Description: Why did the Reserve Bank raise the repo rate to 7.25% in September 2026? Prime moved to 10.75%. See the rate path, the date conflict and what it means for borrowers. Last updated: 8 October 2026 Short Answer The South African Reserve Bank raised the repo rate to 7.25% in September 2026, taking […]
Meta Description: Why did South Africa’s GDP shrink 0.2% in Q2 2026? Mining fell 3.0% and trade 1.9%, ending six quarters of growth. See the sector figures and open questions. Last updated: 8 October 2026 Short Answer South Africa’s gross domestic product fell 0.2% in the second quarter of 2026, according to figures released on […]
Meta Description: What is South Africa’s unemployment rate in 2026? Stats SA put it at 33.6% in Q2, up from 32.7%, with 8.5 million unemployed. See the figures and how to read them. Last updated: 8 October 2026 Short Answer South Africa’s official unemployment rate was 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, up from […]
Meta Description: Will the SABC cover the 2026 local elections without R120 million? CEO Nomsa Chabeli told Parliament coverage will go ahead whatever the funding outcome. Read the facts. Last updated: 8 October 2026 Short Answer Yes, according to the SABC. CEO Nomsa Chabeli told Parliament on 2 October 2026 that election coverage would go […]
Meta Description: Who is leading the polls in South Africa’s metros before the 2026 local elections? An Ipsos snapshot shows MK ahead in eThekwini and the DA in Cape Town. See the caveats. Last updated: 8 October 2026 Short Answer An Ipsos poll snapshot reviewed for this article shows the MK Party at 55% in […]
Meta Description: How many young South Africans registered to vote in 2026? Reports say over 70% of eligible 18-19 year-olds were unregistered in June. See the figures and conflicts. Last updated: 8 October 2026 Short Answer TimesLive reported on 18 June 2026 that more than 70% of eligible 18 and 19 year-olds were unregistered. The […]
Meta Description: What are South Africans’ biggest concerns before the 2026 local elections? Afrobarometer 2025 ranks unemployment, crime and water. See the numbers and their limits. Last updated: 8 October 2026 Short Answer An Afrobarometer survey of 1,600 South Africans, fielded in 2025 and cited as background by the IJR in August 2026, found unemployment […]