Cape Times 2025-09-18

South Africa welcomed 5.85 million international tourists between January and July 2025, a 14% increase on the same period last year. While the figure brings the country within 1% — or just 33 000 visitors — of its 2019 pre-pandemic peak, analysts have warned that the apparent recovery masks deeper structural challenges that demand immediate attention. According to the BDO South Africa’s Tourism Trends Report released on Wednesday, global tourism returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2024, growing more than 12%. Lee-Anne Bac, advisory partner for tourism at BDO South Africa, said South Africa’s recovery has been far slower, with arrivals expanding just 5.1% in 2024, leaving the country 13% behind its 2019 performance. "More troubling still, we've ceded ground to our African competitors. Kenya returned to 2019 levels in 2023,…

South Africa’s retail sales climbed by 5.6% year-on-year in July 2025, the fastest pace in three months, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reported on Wednesday. The rebound follows a modest 1.7% increase in June and reflects stronger spending across most categories. Stats SA's deputy director for distributive trade statistics, Raquel Floris, said five of the seven retail trade groups registered gains. "Textiles and clothing increased by 10.0% and general dealers by 3.3% year-on-year. Together, both retail groups pushed overall growth up by 3.1 percentage points," Floris said. "Retailers in food and beverages and pharmaceuticals and medical goods registered a weaker month, both recording a year-on-year decline in sales." Food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation recorded 5.2% year-on-year, down from 5.7% previously. Monthly deflation of 0.1% reflected meat and non-alcoholic beverages inflation…

Stats SA says that on a month-to-month basis, CPI declined by 0.2% South Africa’s annual consumer price inflation (CPI) eased to 3.3% in August from 3.5% in July, Statistics South Africa reported on Wednesday. The softer-than-expected outcome has raised hopes for an interest rate cut when the South African Reserve Bank’s (Sarb) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets on Thursday. Headline inflation edged closer to the Sarb’s new 3% target announced in July, while core inflation — which strips out food, non-alcoholic beverages, fuel, and energy prices — rose marginally from 3.0% to 3.1%. Stats SA said that on a month-to-month basis, CPI declined by 0.2%. Food prices were a key driver of the slowdown. Overall food inflation fell from 5.5% in July to 5.2% in August, with cereals and vegetables…

Tourism and hospitality bodies have responded well following the announcement that Durban and Johannesburg will host Africa’s Travel Indaba for the next five years commencing in 2026. The Department of Tourism said that Johannesburg and Durban have officially been confirmed as the host cities for Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba, respectively, for the next five years commencing 2026, following a rigorous and competitive procurement process led by South African Tourism. Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, said these events were not just about tourism but were about economic opportunity, job creation, and positioning Africa as a globally competitive destination. Nandipa Zondela, chairperson of the Johannesburg Tourism Company, said retaining Meetings Africa for five more years cements the city’s status as a global player. “This demonstrates Johannesburg’s…

In a revealing look into South Africa's auto financing landscape, WesBank has reported a notable increase in the adoption of balloon payments among vehicle finance agreements. As the financial strain on consumers escalates, car buyers are increasingly turning to this payment structure to alleviate monthly repayment pressures. The latest data indicated a rise from 27% of new finance deals incorporating a balloon payment option in July 2025 to 35% in August 2025. Additionally, the average size of these balloon payments has also surged, going from 33% in July to 37% in August this year. In comparison to last year, the trend appears stable; in August 2024, balloon payments constituted around 35% of finance deals, with an average size of 37% per arrangement. Lebo Gaoaketse, the Head of Marketing and Communication…

Pharmacies, especially ones in rural areas, are often the cornerstone of their communities. Beyond filling prescriptions, they provide medication, medical equipment, and counselling, sometimes serving as multi-service clinics in small towns and outlying areas. When people cannot wait weeks for a doctor’s appointment, or need trusted advice, the local pharmacy is their first stop. In many outlying areas, it is not just the most practical option, but often the only one. With the country’s high and rising burden of chronic disease, this role will only grow in importance. The sector is indeed expanding. In just two years, 2020 and 2021, about 648 new community pharmacies opened across South Africa. By 2021, the total number stood at roughly 3,580 outlets, and nearly 70% of these were independent rather than corporate-owned. That…