New tolls for the N1 on the cards, and group calls for midnight cap on alcohol sales
The rand was largely unchanged on Friday after a sharp fall the previous day, with investors looking ahead to important month-end data.
The rand was trading at 16.5050 to the dollar on Friday, similar to its Thursday close, when the currency fell sharply from elevated oil prices.
The past week has been busy for South African investors, with several economic indicators released in the country.
Stats SA reported better-than-anticipated inflation data, with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presenting the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS).
The MTBPS included temporary relief for fuel prices through November and December, with a reduction in the General Fuel Levy (GFL).
South Africa’s benchmark 2035 government bond was flat on Friday, with the yield at 8.615%. [Reuters]
On Saturday, 24 October 2026, the rand was trading at R16.57 to the dollar, R22.19 to the pound, and R18.58 to the euro. Gold is trading at $3,995.88, while oil prices were at $116.70 a barrel.
5 important things
Part of South Africa’s most important highway can become a toll road: Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, said that a 1.1-kilometre stretch of the N1 highway is under consideration to become a toll road. [Newsday]
Group urges midnight cap on alcohol sales: The Constitutional Court will hear from the DG Murray Trust next month, which will argue that alcohol sales after midnight are against human rights. [BusinessDay]
South Africa must invest R1.1 trillion to grow the economy by 1%: South Africa needs R14.50 in investment to generate R1 in incremental economic growth, whereas faster-growing and more efficient economies require only R3 in investment. [DailyInvestor]
Starlink begins to cut South Africans off: SpaceX’s satellite Internet service, Starlink, has implemented a stringent travel registration requirement that has completely locked South Africans out of using its international roaming service in the country. [MyBroadband]
R594 million win for South Africa’s richest self-made woman: Sygnia’s investors have passed a resolution approving an amendment to the company’s share option scheme, potentially unlocking R594 million in executive share options. [BusinessTech]
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