South Africa's rand extended its losses early on Thursday before manufacturing and mining data releases, a day after the national budget was tabled before lawmakers and met with resistance.

The South African rand declined on Friday (7 March) following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would cut all federal funding to the country. However, the dollar weakened after data revealed that the U.S. economy added fewer jobs than anticipated last month.

Leading currency expert Bianca Botes unpacks the crucial factors that will influence the South African rand in 2025, from global trade tensions to commodity market volatility. Essential reading for businesses and investors navigating SA's economic landscape.

South Africa's rand edged higher on Tuesday against a weaker dollar amid global and domestic economic uncertainty and as investors eyed a U.S. inflation print for cues into the Federal Reserve's interest rate stance.

South African lawmakers have outlined plans that include a 0.5% VAT increase to fund additional health and defense spending. The rise in VAT aims to address cuts in US aid, return 9,300 jobs in healthcare,

South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana may have to make changes to the national budget after parties that control more than half the seats in parliament rejected his plans to raise taxes.

South Africa's finance minister unveiled Wednesday a budget with a smaller increase in value-added tax than previously proposed, but the move was still rejected by trade unions who say any rise in taxes that will have a negative impact on the country’s poorest is unacceptable.

The South African rand fell on Wednesday as disagreements in the ruling coalition persisted despite the finance minister scaling back the size of a contentious tax hike in a revised budget. The budget has been the biggest test so far of South Africa's fractious coalition politics,