Big changes for DStv and the SABC, and South Africa’s richest city downgraded
The South African rand ended the week on a steadier footing, as the ceasefire announced earlier in the week held.
However, its future direction will likely be determined by the outcome of weekend talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad.
The rand ended the week trading around R16.40 to the dollar, barely changed from its previous close.
The risk-sensitive currency ended more than 3% stronger versus the dollar.
The unit surged on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran and has held most of those gains since.
Adam Phillips, treasury specialist at Umkhulu Treasury, said in a Friday note that the market mood was “steady but nervous”.
For the rand, “it all centres on (the talks in) Islamabad this weekend,” Phillips added.
South Africa’s government sold R1 billion of its 2031 and 2050 inflation-linked bonds at auction, central bank data showed on Friday.
February manufacturing production figures published on Thursday showed the sector was weak before the Iran war.
The country’s economy had started to build momentum last year, and investor confidence was on the rise.
Days before the Middle East conflict erupted, the South African government predicted growth would accelerate again this year to 1.6%, but that forecast will probably now be revised.
5 important things happening in South Africa today
New rules for broadcasters: ICASA has published Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Broadcasting Regulations in anticipation of the country’s analogue signal switch-off. While no official date has yet been set, the regulations establish new rules and operational requirements for entities like DStv, the SABC and e-TV, and penalise them if they fail to comply. [MyBroadband]
Joburg downgraded: The City of Johannesburg has had its credit rating outlook downgraded by the Global Credit Rating Company (GCR) due to material uncertainty in the audit process. This audit process has been hit by several delays, with the city yet to publish its annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2025. [Daily Investor]
SAA CEO Departs: Chief executive officer of South African Airways (SAA), John Lamola, has resigned, effective 30 April 2026. Matshela Seshibe, the Chief Executive Officer of SAA’s subsidiary company, Air Chefs, has been appointed as the Acting Group CEO. [BusinessTech]
AI policy for South Africa: The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has published a draft Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy for South Africa. Broadly, the policy is designed to boost the local AI ecosystem, and centres on six main pillars, such as developing AI skills, creating jobs, and securing data. [MyBroadband]
DA conference kicks off: The Democratic Alliance will elect new leadership this weekend. More than 2,000 delegates are expected at the congress, which will take place over two days at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is widely expected to be elected the new party leader. [DA, M&G]
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