BER Weekly
BER Weekly, 2 Aug 2021
Last updated: Aug 2 2021 8:20AM
With relative calm restored to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng last week, attention turned to government’s response to the adverse impact of recent events on individuals, firms and the broader economy. The economy suffered an additional setback last week when
read moreWith relative calm restored to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng last week, attention turned to government’s response to the adverse impact of recent events on individuals, firms and the broader economy. The economy suffered an additional setback last week when an IT security breach at Transnet severely disrupted operations at SA’s major ports.
BER Weekly, 26 July 2021
Last updated: Jul 26 2021 8:17AM
After the riots and unrest of the previous week, last week was fortunately calmer on that front. Nonetheless, the stream of updates of the structural damage to some private businesses and public facilities confirms our assessment that it will take some time
read moreAfter the riots and unrest of the previous week, last week was fortunately calmer on that front. Nonetheless, the stream of updates of the structural damage to some private businesses and public facilities confirms our assessment that it will take some time for these to be rebuilt and to fully get back online.
BER Weekly, 19 July 2021
Last updated: Jul 19 2021 8:08AM
The domestic GDP recovery from the 2020 crash was dealt another hefty blow last week. It is impossible to fully summarise and digest last week’s dramatic domestic events in the Weekly. It was a week in which socio-economic and political tensions finally
read moreThe domestic GDP recovery from the 2020 crash was dealt another hefty blow last week. It is impossible to fully summarise and digest last week’s dramatic domestic events in the Weekly. It was a week in which socio-economic and political tensions finally boiled over.
BER Weekly, 12 July 2021
Last updated: Jul 12 2021 8:14AM
With a quiet week on the domestic data front, all eyes were on Nkandla to see whether former president Jacob Zuma would be arrested/hand himself over before midnight on Wednesday. Another key focus of the week was whether the adjusted level 4 lockdown
read moreWith a quiet week on the domestic data front, all eyes were on Nkandla to see whether former president Jacob Zuma would be arrested/hand himself over before midnight on Wednesday. Another key focus of the week was whether the adjusted level 4 lockdown regulations would be extended.
BER Weekly, 5 July 2021
Last updated: Jul 5 2021 7:59AM
Last week was a busy one, dominated by a sustained surge in domestic cases of COVID-19, lots of local and international data releases, as well as some key domestic political developments.
BER Weekly, 28 June 2021
Last updated: Jun 28 2021 7:45AM
The focus domestically remained on the concerning trajectory of the COVID-19 third wave, especially in Gauteng. With cases surging, likely driven by the significantly more transmissible Delta variant that ravaged India recently and is also driving cases
read moreThe focus domestically remained on the concerning trajectory of the COVID-19 third wave, especially in Gauteng. With cases surging, likely driven by the significantly more transmissible Delta variant that ravaged India recently and is also driving cases higher in the UK, the Gauteng provincial authorities came under increased pressure for being ill-prepared for the third wave. The week ended with President Cyril Ramaphosa announcing harsher (adjusted level 4) lockdown measures. The latest tightening of restrictions came within two weeks of the country being moved to adjusted level 3 of the lockdown.
BER Weekly, 21 June 2021
Last updated: Jun 21 2021 8:00AM
In a holiday-shortened week, the domestic focus was on the worrying trajectory in new COVID-19 cases, especially in Gauteng, as well as government’s decision to move the country back to alert level 3 of lockdown restrictions and progress updates regarding
read moreIn a holiday-shortened week, the domestic focus was on the worrying trajectory in new COVID-19 cases, especially in Gauteng, as well as government’s decision to move the country back to alert level 3 of lockdown restrictions and progress updates regarding SA’s vaccine rollout. Global and financial market headlines were dominated by the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate announcement midweek. While no changes to the Fed’s current policy stance were expected, or indeed announced, the more hawkish-than-expected projections from the Fed’s voting committee on when they expect the first interest rate increase jolted markets, including the rand exchange rate.
BER Weekly, 14 June 2021
Last updated: Jun 14 2021 7:59AM
What a week it has been. Globally, US CPI inflation again rose by more than expected in May, exceeding 5% y-o-y for the first time since 2008. In most other weeks, this may have attracted a lot of local attention. However, in this case, the US news was
read moreWhat a week it has been. Globally, US CPI inflation again rose by more than expected in May, exceeding 5% y-o-y for the first time since 2008. In most other weeks, this may have attracted a lot of local attention. However, in this case, the US news was overshadowed by several crucial SA-focused developments.
BER Weekly, 7 June 2021
Last updated: Jun 7 2021 7:58AM
Last week was ridden by rolling blackouts, although there was some reprieve on Friday afternoon on Parliament’s request so it could pass a number of Appropriation Bills. However, this meant that load-shedding continued through most of the weekend. Local news
read moreLast week was ridden by rolling blackouts, although there was some reprieve on Friday afternoon on Parliament’s request so it could pass a number of Appropriation Bills. However, this meant that load-shedding continued through most of the weekend. Local news headlines were further dominated by the record-high unemployment rate and continued revelations of alleged corruption at the Department of Health. Globally, the focus was on the US jobs report for May after the significantly weaker-than-expected outcome in the previous month.
BER Weekly, 31 May 2021
Last updated: May 31 2021 8:16AM
Daily new COVID-19 cases in SA continue to rise closer to the official threshold of a third wave. Given the concerning virus trajectory, including that the Free State, Northern Cape, North West and Gauteng are already officially in a third wave, President
read moreDaily new COVID-19 cases in SA continue to rise closer to the official threshold of a third wave. Given the concerning virus trajectory, including that the Free State, Northern Cape, North West and Gauteng are already officially in a third wave, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced some tightening of lockdown restrictions last night.