South Africa has about 12 million unemployed people, almost the same number as those in formal jobs. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack what the figure means for discouraged workers, household resilience, interest rates and the cost-of-living squeeze.

Spar Group’s headline profits are down 55%, and the number points to more than a difficult reporting period. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack the failed KwaZulu-Natal distribution system, thin margins, Black Friday pressure and whether Spar can win back retailers and shoppers.

South Africa’s GDP grew by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2026, but Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd ask whether that is enough to change life for ordinary households. Jobs, retail pressure, fixed investment and the next economic shock all sit behind the headline number.

Bitcoin falls to around $67,000. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack the price shock, crypto risk, legal confusion and regulation.

Morocco is now Africa’s top industrialised economy. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd explain why South Africa’s slide matters for jobs.

Diesel drops by as much as R3.24 per litre in June, while petrol rises by R1.43. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack what the fuel-price split means for motorists, transport costs, food prices, the rand and the next possible shock at the pump.

A mid-range 2026 FIFA World Cup trip could cost two South Africans around R84,000. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd break down the cost of one game in San Francisco, including flights, tickets, accommodation, food and the rand reality behind the dream.

Pick 'n Pay has pushed its core business break-even target to 2029. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd look at why investors reacted sharply, how Checkers and Shoprite changed the retail battlefield, and why the turnaround now raises tough questions about jobs, staff costs and the future of a once-loved South African retailer.

Netcare is rolling out 6,000 medical-grade wearables to monitor hospital patients. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd ask what it means for care.

FlySafair faces a possible 10% turnover fine over alleged flight overbooking. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd ask whether a paid ticket should always guarantee a seat, and what this fight could mean for South African travellers.

South Africa’s inflation rose to 4% in April. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd explain fuel prices, food costs and rate-hike pressure.

Standard Chartered plans to cut 7,800 jobs by 2030 as AI and automation reshape back-office work. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd ask what this means for South Africa, where jobs, efficiency, inequality, internet access and electricity all collide inside the future of work.

New car sales grew nearly 16%, putting pressure on used-car prices as cheaper Asian and Chinese vehicles reshape South Africa’s car market.

Nike once saw China as 2 billion feet of opportunity. Now Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd ask what changed in that market.

The global oil market has lost 1 billion barrels amid the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz crisis. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd explain the fallout.

South Africa’s unemployment rate has climbed to 32.7%, with 8.1 million people now officially unemployed. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd break down the latest labour data, the 345,000 jobs lost in the first quarter, the discouraged workers behind the expanded rate and why the crisis hits young South Africans especially hard.

Modi urged Indians to pause gold buying for a year. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd explain why it matters for forex reserves, fuel and SA gold miners.

66%. That is the proposed increase to Johannesburg’s water demand management levy, adding new pressure to residents already frustrated by billing and infrastructure failures.

A R10.3 billion wage agreement has placed Johannesburg’s finances under pressure, with questions over legality, debt and service delivery.

A 25 basis points interest rate hike is expected as inflation rises, with implications for debt, fuel and food prices in South Africa.

Diesel at R32.30. A record high with real consequences. Fuel costs are surging just as South Africa’s recovery was gaining traction. Higher diesel feeds directly into transport, food and everyday prices.

$126 a barrel is not just an oil-market headline. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd explain why the latest crude oil shock matters for South Africa, from May fuel-price pressure to jet fuel shortages, import costs, business strain and rising food prices. The barrel price may move overseas, but the pain can land right here at home.

Jerome Powell may be making his final Fed rate call. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd explain why the US decision matters for South Africa.

South Africa’s major airports have only days of jet fuel cover. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd explain what that means for flights and travellers.

14% of surveyed higher-income South Africans report spending on prescribed weight-loss drugs. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd trace the trend, the risks, and the local demand story.

South Africa’s inflation rose to 3.1% in March, but fuel and electricity pressure could still push prices higher in the months ahead.

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has appeared in court over an R360 million SAPS tender linked to Cat Matlala. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd trace what the PFMA requires and why this case matters for public accountability.

Johannesburg’s BA3 rating is on review. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd trace what the Moody’s warning means for city finances and services.

Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago used a 1879 battle analogy to warn of inflation risk. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack what it could mean for South Africans.

Luxury stocks dropped 14% as war hits global confidence. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack what it means beyond the markets.

Hong Kong diesel costs about R73 a litre. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack what that reveals about fuel taxes, subsidies, and South Africa’s price pain.

US inflation jumped 0.9% in March, driven by gasoline. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack why South Africans should care.

7 April 2026 is the number, but the story is much bigger. In this episode of Number of the Day, Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack the moment Anthropic warned that its Claude Mythos model was too powerful for public release, what that says about the future of AI, and why the risks suddenly feel close to home for South Africans too.

South Africans spend R17 billion a year on chocolate. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack the scale, the habits, and the darker side of the industry.

The JSE has suffered its worst month in 18 years. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack the market slump, oil shock and why South Africans should care.

Diesel prices are set to surge in South Africa, but the real problem is uncertainty. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack rationing, price hikes and diesel supply fears.

South Africa’s rates were held on 26 March, but the bigger warning is what could still come next. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack the worst-case path of three interest rate hikes this year.

A standard 60-litre petrol tank could cost South Africans about R300 more in April. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack the fuel shock, the levy problem and the wider cost-of-living sting.

Almost $580 million was placed on oil bets before Donald Trump’s post about “productive” Iran talks sent prices sliding. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack the timing, the trade, and the bigger questions it raises about power, information and market trust.

In just 5 minutes, oil plunged, the rand swung and the JSE flipped. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack the market chaos.

The JSE is down more than 10% from its recent high. Francis Herd and Melissa Tighy unpack why that matters and what South Africans could feel next.

South Africa’s inflation rate eased to 3% in February 2026. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack why that sounds like good news, why it may not last, and how fuel, electricity and oil pressure could change the story fast.

Sanlam saw 60 000 two-pot withdrawal applications in one day. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack what that says about financial pressure and future risk.

South Africa has 8 million barrels of oil in reserve. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack why that may still not shield drivers from fuel pain.

$1.8 billion a day is the number at the centre of this episode of Number of the Day, and it is the kind of figure that almost stops meaning anything if you leave it alone for too long.

Jet fuel prices have surged 70% in a week. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack why flights in South Africa could get more expensive and what it means for travellers.

South Africa’s economy grew by 1.1% in 2025, the best annual growth in three years. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack why that still is not enough to create jobs or shift daily life for most South Africans.

Oil has surged to $118 a barrel, and South Africans may soon feel it where it hurts most. In this episode of Number of the Day, Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack the fuel-price risk, the diesel ripple effect, and why this oil shock could complicate inflation and interest-rate hopes.

VW Polo Vivo Recall 25,729 Cars Explained | Number of the Day

Petrol rises by 20c a litre from Wednesday, 4 March 2026. Francis Herd explains what drove the increase, why diesel is climbing faster, and how fuel prices can ripple into transport, food and inflation.

R2.3 Trillion Budget 2026 Explained: Fuel Levy, Taxes & Who Pays | Number of the Day

22c of every rand South Africans pay in tax goes to servicing debt. We unpack SA’s R6 trillion debt load, the daily interest bill, and why the Budget matters?

Two days before the Budget, we unpack why the tax base is so narrow, why that is risky, and what needs to change to stop the pressure piling onto the same taxpayers.

Brent crude has climbed above $71 as US–Iran tensions raise supply fears. We explain the Strait of Hormuz risk and what it could mean for South Africa’s fuel price outlook.

Wine prices in South Africa are up 5% (4.9% exactly). Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack what’s driving it and why the real impact could show up in exports and jobs.

South Africa’s unemployment rate dipped to 31.4% in Q4. We unpack what changed, what did not, and why it still matters to households.

Number of the Day: 25 million. Telkom has crossed a mobile milestone that feels bigger than the brand’s old reputation. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack what is driving the surge, why data has become the real battlefield, and what stronger competition could mean for prepaid prices and fibre rollout in South Africa.

In today’s Number of the Day, Gareth Edwards and Rofhiwa Madzena unpack what that figure actually covers, why it is lower than previous years, and whether it still makes sense in a strained economy. Is it ceremony, infrastructure, or constitutional necessity?

Beef prices in South Africa have surged by 19% over the past year. In today’s Number of the Day, Rofhiwa Madzena unpacks what’s driving the increase, how long it could last, and what it means for your next braai.

The Post Office is turning 234; but it may not be heading for 235. Aakash Bramdeo and Rofhiwa Madzena break down why the business rescue plan is wobbling, what happens when expected funding falls away, and why changes to the parcels landscape could squeeze future revenue.

Electricity is getting more expensive; again. Nersa has approved an 8.76% hike after correcting a major tariff calculation error. We break down what changed, why it happened, and why the knock-on effects don’t stop at your prepaid meter.

99% is today’s Number of the Day. Francis Herd and Aakash Bramdeo explain why Sasol’s earnings collapsed, why the headline number is not the full story, and how a strong rand and cheaper oil can quietly hurt one of South Africa’s biggest employers.

A R150,000 default judgment against DA leader John Steenhuisen has resurfaced as he exits the leadership race.

Gold doesn’t usually behave like a meme stock; which is exactly why a move of more than 10% in a few days lands like a slap.

SARB hits pause: repo stays at 6.75% and prime holds at 10.25%. Francis Herd unpacks why rates stayed flat, what services inflation and electricity prices have to do with it, and what to watch before the next decision.

South Africa is considering raising import tariffs on vehicles from China and India to as high as 50%.

Barloworld has delisted from the JSE after 86 years following a Saudi-led acquisition. Francis Herd and Gareth Edwards unpack what the exit means for the market, why delistings matter, and what this deal signals about investor appetite for South African assets.

5000: Gold Smashes $5,000 and the Rand Follows

Gold has crossed $5,000 an ounce for the first time, marking a dramatic acceleration in the global “fear trade”; the rush into assets seen as safer when the world feels unstable.

For South Africa, that headline matters for two reasons. First, gold’s rally is not happening in isolation: it’s part of a broader precious-metals surge that can buoy sentiment around resource exporters. Second, the currency has responded; with the rand strengthening to around R16/$ territory for the first time since 2022 [and even briefly trading at R15.99], helped by strong commodity prices and improved investor appetite.

A stronger rand isn’t just a nice-looking number on a trading screen. South Africa imports fuel, and currency moves feed directly into transport costs and inflation pressure. When the rand firms up, the economy can get a rare bit of breathing room: lower fuel price pressure, slightly cheaper imports, and a more stable environment for households already stretched by everyday costs.

The episode also explores what’s underneath the gold spike: uncertainty, geopolitical shocks, tariff threats, and a market that’s re-pricing risk fast. When investors stop trusting the “usual” safe places, they reach for the physical stuff and gold is the oldest receipt in the world.

In Number of the Day, Francis translates that global chaos into a local read: why this moment could be supportive for mining confidence, how the rand’s move can affect affordability, and what to watch next if volatility keeps driving capital into safe-haven trades.

R16 is in sight. In today’s Number of the Day, Francis Herd and Gareth Edwards break down why the rand is suddenly stronger; from global market sentiment to Trump/Greenland tariff jitters; and what it could mean for fuel, imports, and your cost of living.

In this episode of Number of the Day, Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd examine why 200% has rattled global markets.

The number of the day is €93 billion — the scale of retaliatory tariffs the European Union is considering if the United States moves ahead with new trade penalties. T

In this episode of Number of the Day, Francis Herd and Gareth Edwards examine the scale of South Africa’s illicit cigarette trade, now estimated at 75% of daily sales.

Francis Herd and Gareth Edwards unpack why a 2.6% global growth forecast from the World Bank is both reassuring and worrying and what it means for South Africa.

In this episode of Number of the Day, Francis Herd unpacks why 284 words spoken by the chair of the US Federal Reserve were enough to unsettle global markets.

Today’s Number of the Day is 0, the number of letters the Post Office delivered from Francis Herd’s test. After mailing seven letters across the country two months ago, none arrived. This episode unpacks what the result says about SAPO’s service collapse, why the Post Office is in business rescue, and whether South Africa still needs a national mail system.

The Federal Reserve’s anticipated 25 basis point interest rate cut marks a significant moment for global financial markets and for emerging economies like South Africa.

Today’s Number of the Day is –9, the latest Consumer Confidence Index reading from FNB and the BER. Francis Herd and Rofhiwa Madzena explain why confidence remains negative, how households are coping with high living costs, and what this means for festive spending and economic recovery. A sharp, data-driven snapshot of the financial mood across South Africa.

The Number of the Day is 18 600; the number of Kia vehicles recalled in South Africa due to braking and safety defects. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd explain what models are affected, why 2025 recalls have surged, and what this means for motorists. A clear, urgent breakdown of a fast-growing consumer safety concern.

Here's a view of the numbers that highlight South Africa's political economy in the last week.

South Africa’s rand traded at R17 to the dollar, marking one of its strongest levels in nearly three years.

South Africans are paying 29 cents more for petrol after a price increase took effect at one minute past midnight.

South Africa’s retail economy has seen November rise in importance, with the month contributing 9.7 percent of all annual retail trade sales in 2024.

Pinkfong, the South Korean company behind Baby Shark, made a very strong market debut when its shares jumped 60 percent on the first day of trading in Seoul.