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Business profit jumps in financial year 2016/17

Business profit jumps in financial year 2016/17

Some good news in trying times. After two consecutive years of decline, South African businesses recorded a 49% increase in net profit before tax in financial 2017, according to Stats SA’s latest Annual financial statistics (AFS) survey. The mining industry was the largest contributor to this rise. The success of a business generally depends on   read more »


An update to municipal spending and revenue (June 2018)

An update to municipal spending and revenue (June 2018)

South Africa’s 257 municipalities spent a total of R88,6 billion in the quarter ended June 2018, 18% more than the R75,1 billion spent during the quarter ended March 2018. Municipal revenue was down, however, falling by 6% over the same period, from R87,6 billion (March quarter) to R82,6 billion (June quarter). Stats SA’s latest Quarterly financial statistics of municipalities   read more »


Four facts about municipal debt

Four facts about municipal debt

Eskom announced earlier this year that it would roll out power cuts to several defaulting municipalities.1 The inability of particular municipalities to honour debt payments has been a thorn in the flesh of local government administration. The following are a few key facts about municipal debt, from Statistics South Africa’s latest Financial census of municipalities   read more »


If South Africa’s provinces were independent states

If South Africa’s provinces were independent states

Perspective matters. A lot. Recent provincial economic data published by Stats SA take on a fresh light when they’re ranked against other countries. Gauteng is South Africa’s economic powerhouse. The province contributed just over a third to South Africa’s economic output in 2016, according to provincial gross domestic product (GDP) figures.1 In runner-up positions were   read more »


Tighter profits in the formal business sector

Tighter profits in the formal business sector

The formal business sector, excluding agriculture and banking, generated R2,34 trillion in income during the first quarter of 2017, for the months of January, February and March. On average, that’s R300 560 of income generated every second over that 90-day period. You might be thinking that’s quite a hefty amount. You might catch yourself imagining the   read more »


Media advisory: The state of basic service delivery in South Africa & Quarterly financial statistics of municipalities

Media advisory                                                                                               28 March 2017 Statistician-General to release reports on financial statistics of municipalities and the state of basic service delivery The Statistician-General of South Africa, Dr Pali Lehohla, will release reports on the quarterly financial statistics of municipalities and the state of basic service delivery in South Africa at a media   read more »


A tale of three economies in Africa

A tale of three economies in Africa

One of many comparisons between countries is the size of their economies. In the recent past, a number of people noted that Nigeria had overtaken South Africa as the largest economy on the African continent. Subsequently, articles were written about South Africa being pushed into third place by Egypt, only to regain the silver medal   read more »


Municipal spending in the third quarter

Municipal spending in the third quarter

Municipalities in South Africa spent a total of R73,1 billion during the September quarter of 2016. Stats SA’s latest Quarterly Financial Statistics of Municipalities report1 provides an overview of how this money was spent. More than half of municipal expenditure during the September 2016 quarter was on two items: electricity (28,0%) and employee-related costs (27,8%).   read more »


The ups and downs of gross domestic product

The ups and downs of gross domestic product

Economic growth can be reported in a number of different ways. Annual growth, quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year are terms that are commonly used in the context of gross domestic product (GDP). What do these terms mean? In preparation for Stats SA’s next release of GDP data on 6 December, this article explores the different ways in   read more »


Media release: Financial statistics of consolidated general government, 2014/2015

Media release                                                                                                  24 November 2016 Financial statistics of consolidated general government, 2014/2015 The Financial statistics of consolidated general government, 2014/2015 report released by Statistics South Africa today shows that South Africa’s consolidated general government had a total income of R1,2 trillion from operating activities in the fiscal year ended 31 March 2015. This was R107,1   read more »


P0141.5 - Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weights

This statistical release contains the weights for the historical metropolitan areas in total according to the new weighting structure of the CPI following rebasing. The weights for the various expenditure groups as well as for the pensioners index, core inflation index and the CPIX (CPI, excluding interest rates on mortgage bonds) are presented in this statistical release.read more »


P0141.5 - Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weights

This statistical release contains the weights for the historical metropolitan areas in total according to the new weighting structure of the CPI following rebasing. The weights for the various expenditure groups as well as for the pensioners index, core inflation index and the CPIX (CPI, excluding interest rates on mortgage bonds) are presented in this statistical release.read more »


P0141.2 - Consumer Price Index: Rural areas and total country

This release contains results of the monthly Survey of Consumer (Retail) Prices. The purpose of the survey is to collect and provide information regarding changes in the overall level of prices of all goods and services bought by the average household. This publication contains the CPI (Inflation) rates. As from the January 2007 publication the P0141.1 Consumer Price Index (CPI) - Headline and the P0141.2 Consumer price Index (CPI) - Rural areas and total country are combined into this one publication.read more »


P0141.1 - Consumer Price Index - Headline

This release contains results of the monthly Survey of Consumer (Retail) Prices. The purpose of the survey is to collect and provide information regarding changes in the overall level of prices of all goods and services bought by the average household. This publication contains the CPI (Inflation) rates. As from the January 2007 publication the P0141.1 Consumer Price Index (CPI) - Headline and the P0141.2 Consumer price Index (CPI) - Rural areas and total country are combined into this one publication.read more »


DiscussCPIRural - Consumer Price Index

This discussion paper contains findings based on the CPI for rural areas as well as for the total country. This is based on the prices monitored in the smaller towns, as no pricing surveys are undertaken in the rural areas. read more »


Mpofana

The Mpofana Municipality is strategically located along the national N3 highway and is approximately 70 km from Pietermaritzburg. The Mooi River sits at the heart of the Midlands Meander with interesting attractions such as the Linen Loft and Sharrow Weaving. Stretches of the river offer boating facilities whilst the upper reaches are a fly fisherman's paradise. Further upstream, the Mooi River Falls are a marvellous site to watch when the river is flooded. The predominant occupation in the area is agriculture, with a wide range of agricultural products being produced. Dairy and stock farming are, however, the main farming activities (uMgungundlovu District Municipality IDP 2012/13).read more »


Joe Morolong

The Joe Morolong Local Municipality was established in 2000 and serves 15 wards, most of which are rural. Although unemployment is high, the municipality has great potential for developers, especially those interested in ecotourism and conservation.

The municipal area is approximately 5 813 km² in size. Joe Morolong Local Municipality is part of the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality. The municipality strives to deliver basic services to its community by ensuring that there is water, sanitation and electricity.

(Source: www.localgovernment.co.za).

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Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch Local Municipality (also known as Stellenbosch Municipality) in the Western Cape is the local municipality that governs the towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Pniel, and the surrounding rural areas. It covers an area of 831 km2 (321 sq mi) (Source: en.wikipedia.org). The 900 km2 municipal area is internationally renowned for its beautiful environment, many places of interest, wine farms, street cafes, restaurants, quality wines, historical buildings and excellent educational institutions. The major portion of the area is utilised for agriculture (mainly wine production) and it includes the towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and settlements such as Klapmuts, Koelenhof, Kylemore, Johannesdal, Pniel, Jamestown and Raithby. Stellenbosch town is 50 km to the east of Cape Town and is – after Cape Town – the oldest town in South Africa. (Source: www.stellenbosch.gov.za).read more »


City of Tshwane

The City of Tshwane is the capital of South Africa and is the largest municipality, as measured by land mass. Tshwane is amongst the six largestmetropolitan municipalities in South Africa and the second largest in Gauteng, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Tshwane regioncovers 6 368km² of Gauteng’s 19 055km² and houses approximately 2,9million residents.Tshwane consists of seven regions with 105 wards and 210 councillors.

The City has a vibrant and diverse economy, which enables it to contribute at least 26,8% of the Gauteng Province’s GDP and 9,4% of the GDP of the national economy.  Tshwane is the administrative capital of South Africa and is home to the Union Buildings with government-related business playing an important role in the local economy.  As a result, the city is taking active measures to firmly position itself as Africa's leading capital city of excellence.  The municipality's main economic sectors are community services and government, followed by finance and manufacturing.  Metal products, machinery and household products are the largest sub-sectors within manufacturing.  The City has a well-established manufacturing sector, with the automotive industry representing the most significant component.

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Jozini

Jozini Local Municipality is under Umkhanyakude District Municipality, located in the north eastern part of Kwazulu Natal.  The municipality shares a border with Swaziland to the west and Mozambique to the north.  It  covers 3057 km² of the total  area  of Umkhanyakude  District Municipality.  Jozini was predominatly a rural municipality with 89% of the population residing in rural areas under the jurisdiction of tradional authorities. Main towns *** Census 2011 reveals that Jozini is the most populated municipalty within Umkhanyakude making up (186 502) 29.8% of the Umkhanyakude District. Jozini has a large dam constructed on the Phongola River on the eastern end of a narrow gorge separating the Lebombo  and Ubombo mountains.  The main towns include Ingwavuma, Jozini, uBombo, Bhambanana, Mkuze and Ndumo.read more »


Inflation

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) are the two primary measures of inflation for South Africa. Both indicators are published on a monthly basis.The Consumer Price Index tracks the rate of change in the prices of goods and services purchased by consumers. The headline CPI is used as the inflation target measure which guides the South African Reserve Bank on the setting of interest rates.

The Producer Price Index tracks the rate of change in the prices charged by producers of goods. Stats SA publishes PPIs for different industries with the PPI for final manufactured goods being the headline PPI. Additional PPIs are compiled for Agriculture, forestry and fishing; Mining and quarrying; Electricity and water; Intermediate manufactured goods; Imports and Exports; and Construction.

The PPI is widely used by businesses as a contract escalator and as a general indicator of inflationary pressures in the economy.

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