How to legally stop paying your TV licence, and South African companies hit with R2.89 billion in fines
The South African rand weakened on Friday as investors digested stronger-than-expected trade balance data while also taking cues from global market sentiment.
On Friday, the rand traded at R16.5950 against the dollar, about 0.6% down from its previous close.
Data from the South African Revenue Service showed the country recorded a trade surplus of R17.75 billion ($1.07 billion) in June, far exceeding analysts’ forecast of a R3.45 billion surplus and signalling resilience in the external sector.
“Going forward, rising petroleum imports and exchange-rate volatility continue to present upside risks to the import bill, which is likely to limit the extent of any improvement in the trade balance in the near term,” Investec economist Lara Hodes said.
The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, was last up about 0.3%, recovering some ground after reported dollar-selling intervention by authorities in Japan and South Korea weighed on the greenback on Thursday.
Like other emerging market currencies, the rand is sensitive to global risk sentiment, developments in U.S. monetary policy and domestic economic data.
On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top-40 index was down about 1.1%. South Africa’s benchmark 2035 government bond was steady, with the yield unchanged at 8.615%.
On Saturday, 01 August, 2026, the rand was trading at R16.55 to the dollar, R22.30 to the pound, and R19.08 to the euro. Gold is trading at $4,042.97 an ounce, while oil prices were at $87.93 a barrel. [Reuters]
5 Important Things Happening in South Africa
Stop paying your TV licence: South African households that do not want to pay their TV licence for traditional terrestrial broadcasting services can legally do so by rendering their TV incapable of receiving these services’ signals. The SABC exempts TVs that underwent a “denaturing” from paying TV licences. [MyBroadband]
FSCA hits companies with billions in fines: The Financial Sector Conduct Authority levied more than R2.89 billion in fines in the year through 31 March. The largest penalty, in excess of R2 billion, was levied against online trading platform Banxso for deepfake advertising and misappropriation of client funds. [Bloomberg]
Big changes for eBucks: FNB, Clicks and Engen have created a single integrated rewards ecosystem across fuel, retail, and banking. This ecosystem is the first of its kind in South Africa, as it brings three large rewards programmes and brands into a single rewards system. [Daily Investor]
ANC deaths: Former Gauteng Premier and COPE founder Mbhazima Shilowa said that members of the ANC are increasingly killing each other for a position as a municipal councillor as the party’s support shrinks. As the ANC’s support base has shrunk, fewer party members can hold political office, resulting in intensified internal battles. [Newsday]
End of an era for Eskom: President Cyril Ramaphosa has endorsed a report from the Eskom Restructuring Task Team (ERTT), proposing that South Africa’s transmission network be fully independent of Eskom. The creation of the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) is expected to usher in the end of Eskom’s monopoly. [BusinessTech]
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