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Appointment of a new BER political analyst The Bureau for Economic Research (BER) at Stellenbosch University is delighted to announce that highly respected political journalist Mrs Natasha Marrian has been appointed as its first ever in-house political analyst. She will assume her duties on 1 January 2026.
ESSENTIAL INSIGHTS SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE OPEN. We’ve enhanced the BER Weekly Review you know and trust with even more expert analysis and forecasting – now called BER Essential Insights. Subscribe today and get trusted updates on key economic events affecting your business.
RESEARCH NOTE: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that South Africa adopt fiscal rules, and the National Treasury has committed to a process of consultations on fiscal rules, and to release a discussion by the end of March 2025. This research note explores what fiscal rules are and whether they could improve South Africa’s fiscal sustainability and fiscal credibility. It highlights guiding principles and considerations for fiscal rule design and outlines a possible fiscal rule to initially stabilise debt followed by a debt reduction phase.
20.19/litre
19.40/litre
3.5% y-o-y
2.2%
2.1% y-o-y
10.25 %
2.6% y-o-y
-1.0% y-o-y
The FNB/BER Building Confidence Index remained relatively stable in 2026Q1, losing one point to register a level of 42. Sentiment edged lower despite a broad improvement in activity and overall profitability. The important exceptions, however, were residential builders and building material manufacturers.
According to the latest BER Retail Survey, business confidence among retailers declined from 43% to 36% in the first quarter of 2026. After a year of solid optimism, supported by strong retail sales and consumer spending, retailer confidence lost momentum in 2026Q1. However, the survey details suggest the retail sector may simply be taking a breather rather than heading for a downturn.
The release calendar will be updated each quarter. Please note that these dates may change.
Wednesday
4 March 2026
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI)
Monday
9 March 2026
FNB/BER Building Confidence Index
Tuesday
17 March 2026
Absa Manufacturing Survey
Tuesday
24 March 2026
FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)
Thursday
19 March 2026
Other Services Survey
Thursday
12 March 2026
Retail Survey
Friday
27 March 2026
FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index
Monday
16 March 2026
Inflation Expectations Survey
Friday
27 March 2026
Building Cost Report (BCIS)
The first working day of each month
Absa PMI
The first working day of each month
Update
The first week of each month
Trends
Every Friday
BER Weekly
The BER Economist Internship Programme provides practical training to appropriately qualified previously disadvantaged individuals. The programme equips trainees to function as economists in the private and/or the public sector.
