South Africa’s oldest municipality making a comeback, and good news for some DStv customers
The rand strengthened in early trading on Thursday as stable commodity prices followed the US Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates and indicate that further monetary tightening may be forthcoming.
The rand was trading at 16.3050 against the dollar, approximately 0.6% stronger than its previous close. The US dollar remained largely unchanged against a basket of currencies.
South Africa’s key export commodities also performed well, with gold rising 1.2% to $4,314.64 per ounce and platinum rising 1.9% to $1,784.42 as investors evaluated the Fed’s actions.
The Federal Reserve raised rates by 25 basis points and suggested that further hikes could be needed, with policymakers warning that inflation might worsen.
South Africa’s monetary policy committee is set to meet next week to decide on the country’s interest rate path.
On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top-40 index was up 0.6% in early trading. Additionally, South Africa’s benchmark 2035 government bond showed slight improvement, with yields falling by 3 basis points to 8.71%. [Reuters]
On Friday, 18 September 2026, the rand was trading at R16.23 to the dollar, R21.70 to the pound, and R18.65 to the euro. Gold is trading at $4,361.84, while oil prices were at $103.4 a barrel.
5 important things happening in South Africa today
South Africa’s oldest municipality making a comeback: After years of enduring a severe financial crisis, the Beaufort West Local Municipality is beginning to show signs of recovery. [Daily Investor]
Good news for some DStv customers: DStv Compact Plus subscribers have been upgraded to the DStv Premium experience at their current monthly subscription fees of R549 for a streaming-only package or R649 for a decoder-based service. [MyBroadband]
Eskom accused of misleading the public: Member of Parliament, Kevin Mileham, said that Eskom must come clean on the real cost of the Medupi and Kusile power stations. Mileham has submitted a formal request under the Promotion of Access to Information Act, requiring Eskom to disclose the records underlying these figures. [Newsday]
Government unsure how US visa restrictions will impact MPs: The National Assembly’s presiding officers are uncertain about the impact of the new US visa restrictions on members of Parliament (MPs) in government. Speaker Thoko Didiza and her deputy, Dr Annelie Lotriet, stated they will wait to see how the restrictions may target government ministers and their families in relation to the country’s transformation laws. [EWN]
No help from government over soaring petrol prices: Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, says there are currently no interventions planned to help curb rising fuel prices in the country. [BusinessTech]
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