Government Archives

Rand Defies Political Turbulence, Strengthens Amidst Economic Uncertainty

Rand Resilience Amid Political Uncertainty: Despite wavering support for the ruling ANC, recent polling indicates continued favor for the party, bolstering the rand’s stability amidst political turbulence.
Analysts Assert ANC Dominance: Economic experts emphasize the ANC’s enduring significance in South Africa’s political landscape, attributing the rand’s strength to the party’s historical legitimacy and grassroots support.
Global Factors Impact Rand: External influences, particularly oil prices surging to $88.70 per barrel, contribute to the rand’s performance, highlighting the currency’s vulnerability to international market dynamics and geopolitical tensions.

Partnership for Progress: MTN SA collaborates with Investec to introduce PayShap, a real-time payment service, to its MoMo platform, marking a significant step towards transforming the mobile payment landscape in South Africa.
Financial Inclusivity: The integration of PayShap into the MoMo platform aims to serve the unbanked population by providing accessible and low-fee mobile banking services, emphasizing MTN’s commitment to fostering financial inclusion.
Innovative Collaboration: With Investec as the banking sponsor and Electrum providing technical expertise, the partnership draws inspiration from successful global models, heralding a future where digital payments revolutionize financial accessibility and efficiency in South Africa.

Dam levels in Mpumalanga Province remain stable overall, with an average of 98.1% and higher than last year’s levels, according to the Department of Water and Sanitation’s latest report.
While some districts experienced slight declines in water levels, such as the Olifants and Inkomati-Usuthu Water Management Areas, others saw improvements or remained unchanged.
The Department emphasizes the importance of water conservation in South Africa, as a water-scarce country, and urges individuals and businesses to use water wisely to ensure water security and sustainability.

Premier Panyaza Lesufi, in collaboration with the MEC for Social Development, Agriculture and Environment, Mbali Hlophe, announced on Sunday, 14