DA under siege, and good news for anyone who hates spam calls in South Africa
The rand reached its strongest level since the start of the war in Iran on Friday, boosted by higher gold prices and a weaker dollar.
The rand traded at 15.99 to the dollar on Friday, approximately 0.8% stronger than its previous close.
Gold, one of South Africa’s key exports, rose to a more than three-month high and was on track for its third consecutive week of gains.
The commodity was strengthened by a weaker U.S. dollar, after the U.S. Treasury announced that it would increase buybacks of longer-dated securities.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he may further increase Treasury repurchases after announcing that it would double the size of its buybacks over the next quarter.
Like many other emerging-market currencies, the rand is sensitive to global policy shifts, particularly since the onset of the war in Iran.
South Africa’s benchmark 2035 government bond was firmer in early deals on Friday, with the yield falling 0.5 basis points to 8.56%.
On Monday, 24 August, 2026, the rand was trading at R16.00 to the dollar, R21.83 to the pound, and R18.69 to the euro. Gold is trading at $4,641.53 an ounce, while oil prices were at $93.13 a barrel. [Reuters]
5 important things
Serious allegations against the DA in Johannesburg: Freedom Front Plus leader Corne Mulder said the DA was to blame for the collapse of the Johannesburg coalition and may have orchestrated the city’s collapse. [Newsday]
Say goodbye to spam calls in South Africa: The National Consumer Commission says it is almost ready to launch its Opt-Out Registry system, which will allow consumers to opt out of spam calls from individual companies or the entire industry. [MyBroadband]
Skilled workers in South Africa’s richest city looking to emigrate: South Africa’s richest city, Johannesburg, is facing a technology brain drain as many professionals consider moving to Australia. [BusinessTech]
Tables turn on South Africa’s rand: South Africa’s rand has staged one of its strongest runs since the outbreak of the Iran war over the past month. [DailyInvestor]
Abuse of power exposed at Tembisa Hospital prevalent across local govt, says Cachalia: South Africa’s acting Police Minister said that the abuse of power exposed at Tembisa Hospital is not an isolated issue in the country’s government. [EWN]
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