End of an era for Eskom, and big change for DStv’s cheapest package
The rand is set for a big week, with financial institutions waiting on the nation’s latest GDP figures and a host of other financial statistics.
On Sunday morning, the rand traded at 16.55 against the dollar, unchanged from Saturday, ahead of the reopening of forex markets on Monday.
South Africa’s international liquidity fell to $73.47 billion at the end of May from $73.76 billion in April, central bank data showed on Friday.
The U.S. dollar was up against a basket of currencies, while oil prices stabilised after Oman said operations at its Mina al Fahal port were proceeding normally, following a Reuters report of disruption after an explosion.
As a net fuel importer, South Africa is heavily exposed to the spike in global energy prices.
Next week, domestically focused investors will look to the statistics agency’s release of gross domestic product figures on Tuesday for clues on the health of Africa’s largest economy.
Other releases include current account, mining and manufacturing data on Thursday. On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top-40 index was down 0.6%.
South Africa’s benchmark 2035 government bond weakened, with the yield up 13 basis points to 8.68%.
On Sunday, 7 June 2026, the rand was trading at R16.55 to the dollar, R22.07 to the pound, and R19.08 to the euro. Gold is trading lower at $4,328 an ounce, while oil prices were at $93.09 a barrel. [Reuters]
5 important things happening
Huge changes for Eskom: Plans to halt the separation of the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) as part of Eskom’s unbundling into three distinct business units appear to have failed. Eskom is now looking to hire a consultant to review the funding and credit considerations the NTCSA move will have on the group. R300 billion of capital expenditure is expected by 2030. [Business Times]
DStv’s cheapest package change: DStv’s cheapest satellite package, EasyView, is no longer listed for purchase on the broadcaster’s website. Canal+ said the EasyView has been removed from the DStv website, but is still available to subscribe to via its WhatsApp and call centre channels. [MyBroadband]
Silver lining for high interest rates: While higher interest rates in South Africa will increase short-term borrowing costs, Consult by Momentum wealth manager Jurgen Eckmann said they will also offer higher returns on savings and investments for many South Africans. The Reserve Bank increased interest rates by 25 basis points in late May. [Daily Investor]
Chinese Car warning: While Chinese cars have started to flood the local market, there are concerns that entry-level models in South Africa have downgraded safety equipment compared to affordable variants in larger overseas markets. Automobile Association of South Africa CEO Bobby Ramagwede recently said that he was worried about Chinese carmakers’ corner-cutting on tensile strength in the car’s metals. [MyBroadband, Moneyweb]
Skills shortage: South Africa faces a shortage of engineers, scientists, and technical specialists, with engineers the hardest to recruit. Only 15% of South Africa’s bachelor’s degree graduates have degrees focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. [BusinessTech]
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