AfricaCan End Poverty
Syndicate content

The Impact of the Financial Crisis on South Africa

Michele Zini's picture

When the storm hit, South Africa had been sitting on relatively strong fundamentals and emerging from a protracted period of economic expansion. The meltdown allowed “not-so-well-hidden” vulnerabilities to surface. Unemployment, inequality, poverty, crime, and HIV/AIDS still continue to plague the country. Agriculture, mining and manufacturing declined while the trade and current account deficit (CAD) widened. Household indebtedness reached worrying levels in a low-interest rate environment and inflationary pressures mounted. Moreover, severe energy shortages erupted (inducing blackouts) and a tense political climate resulted in President Mbeki’s resignation.

In months ahead, the sustainability of the CAD and the impact of the crisis on the real economy will remain the key issues. The financial account has so far been sufficient to finance the CAD, but sudden stops of capital inflows are not unheard of in developing countries during hard times. While the free-floating exchange rate rules out insolvency issues, financing the CAD will be much more difficult and costly; on the other hand, lower global demand will hurt South Africa’s export-sector and the falling rand is not expected to significantly counter the decline.

The crisis has also impacted the real economy. House prices have been declining, along with vehicle sales. Manufacturing production has slowed, the mining sector is shrinking further, and retrenchments are on the increase. Growth is expected to slow-down which is a risky proposition for South Africa and for Africa as a whole. Luckily, the sound fiscal position will somewhat cushion the economic slowdown.

Comments

From a personal perspective I can say the following.House prices were going way too high.I bought my home for ZAR380K at end of 2003 and it was valued at ZAR1.1M in early 2007.That is ridiculous and unsustainable and something had to give.The interest rates started rising and values started stabilising.In fact houses that were selling for ZAR2.5M a year ago are now selling for ZAR1.6M.That makes more sense.Now it looks like the interest rate is expected to drop 3.5% again and I hope that this time South Africans do not increase their selling price relative to the interest drop as has been done in the past.Our fuel price has dropped but that only helps in terms of the fuel we put in our cars.Fuel price cuts have not affected our food prices at all.The prices go up when the fuel price goes up but remains stagnant when the fuel prices drop.I imagine that the SA reserve bank is hoping to boost the economy a bit by dropping the interest rates but I dont expect a quick impact as so many people entered into arrangement with their mortgage bank to only pay the interest over this tough period so making available more disposable income is just going to mean that the homeowners can now start paying back their loan repayments in full and start decreasing the interest they have incurred over the bank helping period.In a nutshell I do not see commodity sales increasing in the short term at all.

Submitted by Anonymous on
hey , I am a student and would like to know where may i find more information on the financial crisses such as the causes and cosequences it had on South Africa ,US and the world

Submitted by Jeanine on
Hi There Did you find out any information on where to get information on the financial crisis on South Africa? If so, please will you let me know where. Many Thanks

Submitted by Barbara B on
it's not surprising that an already struggling economy would be hurt by the global financial crisis's that are happening around the world. Perhaps this is a time to step back and look at the economy as a whole and make changes that can help both immediate future economic needs.

Submitted by Tariro Nhete on
The SA government should try by all means not to succumb to pressure from its alliance partners who are calling for a shift in economic policies.The policy adjustments will not crearte a vehicle for economic growth but a relief to workers for a short time followed by a 'long march'leading to a near Zimbabwe situation. The ANC partners should also realise that the global financial crisis is making its presence felt among the citizens

Submitted by Wallen S. on
At the beginning of global crisis government have assured the South African public that the country will remain largely unaffected by the crisis. But the reality shows that South Africa won't remain unaffected. The reality is that every single economy in the world will be affected in some way or another. This is due to the fact that economies of every single country are now interconnected.

Submitted by Anonymous on
how can this phernominon be delt with in real life situation?

Please find a paper on the social and economic impact of the global crisis on South Africa at http://www.hsrc.ac.za/Research_Publication-22040.phtml If you have difficulty downloading it, email to maltman@hsrc.ac.za and I will ensure it is sent to you.

Submitted by Anonymous on
as long as the global North still rules South Africa economical and financial there is always going to be financial crisis in South Africa, therefore financial crisis crisis is causes by the exploitation that is directed to South Africa by Global North. question? discuss the impact of financial crisis to 1.nations, 2. businesses, individuals.

Submitted by Anonymous on
why cant South Africa develop its own industries to manufacture its raw materials? i do understand that it will not be easy, but Rome was not build in one day. it will take about 15 to 20 years for South Africa to build its own industries that but the painful part is that its not even trying to do that. moreover, i think its time for SA to stop playing games and see the truth to see that we need presidents like Thabo Mbeki people who are interested in raising the economy not the army, we need good leaders who are interested in changing the world for the better like Nelson Mandela not to people who bring back bad memories.

Submitted by too big to fail on

I dont expect a quick impact as so many people entered into arrangement with their mortgage bank to only pay the interest over this tough period so making available more disposable income is just going to mean that the homeowners can now start paying back their loan repayments in full and start decreasing the interest they have incurred over the bank helping period.

too big to fail

Submitted by Maria John on

It is not surprising because the economy of SA is already struggling and as financial crisis all over the world effect the economy by larger means . So the economist should find some way and make immediate decisions for future happenings and to make economy stable.

Add new comment