On 25 February 2026, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana addressed Parliament with a message framed around recovery. His narrative traced the country’s journey from financial distress to cautious renewal.

The national Budget, delivered this week by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on behalf of National Treasury, reinforces government’s commitment to fiscal consolidation in a constrained economic environment.

As South Africans prepare for the upcoming National Budget Speech, many households are reflecting on how potential economic adjustments may influence their monthly expenses.

Retail trade in South Africa is projected to improve moderately in 2026, aided by softer inflation and a more supportive interest rate outlook, after growth lost momentum over the festive period.

South Africa’s consumer landscape is shifting, but according to Dr Greg Cline, Head of Portfolio Management at Investec, this change isn’t being driven by interest rates anymore.

By: Nicola Mawson – IOL Business

South Africa’s inflation outlook is showing signs of easing, creating space for potential interest rate cuts in 2026.

South African motorists may soon see petrol prices dip below R20 a litre for the first time in four years, provided global oil prices do not surge sharply and the rand avoids a significant decline against the US dollar in the coming weeks.

Source: BizCommunity

Global food commodity prices edged lower in December 2025, easing from the previous month as declines in dairy, meat and vegetable oils outweighed rising cereal and sugar prices, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Source: BizCommunity

With Stats SA announcing that inflation hit a 10-month high in July, and that annual inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages continues to rise, the harsh reality of South Africa’s spiralling food prices is hitting home.