{"id":871633,"date":"2026-08-23T07:55:46","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T05:55:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=871633"},"modified":"2026-08-23T07:55:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T05:55:46","slug":"ramaphosa-to-reveal-manifesto-for-local-government-elections-and-big-changes-on-the-cards-for-gauteng-e-hailing-drivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/5-things\/871633\/ramaphosa-to-reveal-manifesto-for-local-government-elections-and-big-changes-on-the-cards-for-gauteng-e-hailing-drivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Ramaphosa to reveal manifesto for local government elections, and big changes on the cards for Gauteng e-hailing drivers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The rand strengthened on Friday, reaching its highest level since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This increase was driven by rising gold prices and a weaker dollar, which benefitted the commodity-linked currency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rand traded at 15.9925 against the dollar, about 0.8% stronger than its previous close. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gold, one of South Africa\u2019s main exports, rose to a more than three-month high on Friday and was on track for its third consecutive weekly gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The precious metal\u2019s rise was supported by a weaker dollar and the US Treasury\u2019s announcement to increase buybacks of longer-dated securities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The US Treasury indicated it might further expand its repurchase of Treasuries following the announcement that it would double the size of buybacks of longer-dated securities for the next quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the US dollar was expected to end a volatile week lower, making dollar-priced gold more affordable for overseas buyers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like other emerging-market currencies, the rand has been influenced by global market sentiment, particularly since the onset of the war in Iran. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top-40 index increased by 2.2%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Sunday, 22 August 2026, the rand was trading at R16.02 to the dollar, R21.85 to the pound, and R18.70 to the euro. Gold is trading at $4,603.3 an ounce, while oil prices are at $94.39 a barrel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 important things<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Ramaphosa to reveal manifesto for local government elections:<\/strong>\u00a0The race for the 2026 local government elections is heating up as the ANC prepares to announce its mayoral candidates, breaking from traditional processes by headhunting candidates. [eNCA<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Big changes on the cards for Gauteng e-hailing drivers :<\/strong>\u00a0The Gauteng Provincial Government has urged e-hailing companies in the province to ensure that their drivers register on the Integrated Public Transport Administration System (GIPTAS). [MyBroadband<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Transnet asks for private partnerships:<\/strong>\u00a0Transnet has issued a request for information, inviting private companies to partner in enhancing productivity on the B-network. The company aims to revive its B-network and stimulate economic activity in rural and remote areas. [BusinessDay<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bad news for iconic seafood restaurant:<\/strong>\u00a0Spur Corporation, owner of John Dory\u2019s, may close more restaurants in the coming years due to ongoing struggles. However, the brand is undergoing a repositioning and streamlining effort. [DailyInvestor<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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South African’s are paying more tax than ever before:\u00a0<\/strong>Efficient Group’s chief economist, Dawie Roodt, stated that South Africans are now paying more taxes than ever, with the tax-to-GDP ratio reaching 30% for the first time. [Newsday<\/a>]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here are 5 important things happening in and affecting South Africa on Sunday, 23 August 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":127,"featured_media":654607,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sma_x_autopost_status":"posted","_sma_x_autopost_error":"","_sma_x_post_id":"2091404085584867770","_sma_facebook_post_id":"191437357620492_2184110939075972","_sma_instagram_post_id":"18007402487984089","_sma_x_attempts":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20398],"tags":[18993,853],"class_list":["post-871633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-5-things","tag-5-important-things-happening-in-south-africa-today","tag-south-africa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871633","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/127"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=871633"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871633\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":871635,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871633\/revisions\/871635"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/654607"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=871633"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=871633"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=871633"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}