Star 2025-09-25

China has signaled its readiness to fast-track zero-tariff access for South African goods, opening the door for more local products to enter its vast consumer market under favorable terms. Speaking at the South Africa–China Trade and Investment Promotion Conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng said the initiative forms part of Beijing’s broader commitment to deepen economic cooperation with Africa. “In June this year, President Xi Jinping announced that China is ready to expand zero-tariff treatment for 100% of tariff lines to all 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China,” Wu said. “More than 30 African countries have already signed the framework agreements. China is prepared to work with South Africa to implement these measures as soon as possible.” The announcement comes as…

The average cost of a household food basket dropped marginally in September, but civil society groups have warned that South Africans continue to face rising food insecurity and hunger. According to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group’s (PMBEJD) Household Affordability Index, released on Tuesday, the basket cost fell by just R1.20 (0.0%), from R5 380.62 in August to R5 379.42 in September. On a year-on-year basis, however, the index shows a sharp increase of 2.4% or R123.74, up from R5 255.68 in September 2024. Mervyn Abrahams, director at PMBEJD, said 21 of the 44 tracked food items increased in price last month. Key hikes of 5% or more included chicken gizzards (5%), beef liver (7%), butternut (13%), green peppers (9%), and bananas (8%). Smaller but notable increases were seen…

Transnet reassures investors of commitment to R127bn capital expenditure plan over five years Transnet has reassured investors of its commitment to an ambitious R127 billion capital expenditure plan over the next five years as it works to modernise South Africa’s rail and port network, tackle theft and vandalism, and open the system to private operators. This comes as the State-owned freight and logistics operator continues to ramp up volumes after moving nearly 160 million tons of freight in the year ended 31 March 2025 compared to 151 million tons the previous year. Freight volumes had been in steep decline since Transnet’s peak year in 2017/18, when it moved well over 200 million tons. Speaking in a wide-ranging discussion on the company’s turnaround efforts at the 5th SA SOC Investment Summit…

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) has come under fire from the steel import industry after proposing the use of national security provisions to tighten controls on steel imports. Industry players fear that ITAC’s move to invoke Article 21 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) — traditionally reserved for situations of war or terrorism — could be used as a blanket restriction on imports, even where no genuine security concerns exist. Presenting XA International Trade Advisors’ seventh Import Duty Investigation Report on Tuesday, CEO Donald Mackay warned that “import control is creeping in under the guise of national security,” raising suspicions that government may be attempting to bypass its GATT obligations. “By invoking the national security concern, government is hoping to bypass the obligations…

Mining has done so much to build South Africa’s economy but for too many people living in mining communities, that wealth has not translated into dignity, opportunity, or security. My mother works in mining, and our family has lived in various mining communities over the years, so I know first-hand what it means when decisions taken in boardrooms thousands of kilometres away shape the lives of ordinary people. The timing of Anglo American’s merger with Canada’s Teck Resources tells a damning story that South African leaders appear determined to ignore. Just as CEO Duncan Wanblad’s restructuring promises collapse spectacularly with a $3.8 billion coal sale dead, the Woodsmith polyhalite project delayed until 2027, and losses ballooning to $1.9 billion, suddenly Vancouver beckons as the new headquarters. How convenient. For most…

South Africa’s agricultural exports to the United States surged by 26% in the second quarter of 2025, reaching $161 million (R2.7 billion), despite ongoing concerns over potential tariff hikes and market access. Data from the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) on Tuesday showed that the increase was driven largely by citrus, wine, fruit juices, and nuts—products that traditionally dominate South Africa’s shipments to the US. Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz chief economist, said the surge may reflect exporters taking advantage of the 90-day pause on higher tariffs. “It appears that some exporters may have taken advantage of the 90-day pause on the higher tariffs and exported more volume than usual during that period,” he said. “The fact that South Africa generally has a large fruit harvest also contributed to this…