Lerato Mbhiza
Economic growth has declined by 0,2% in the third quarter, Statistics South Africa announced on Tuesday as load shedding and a collapsing transport sector forced many mines to downscale and shed jobs.
This follows a 0.4% rise in the first quarter and a 0.6% in the second quarter.
Chief Director for National Accounts at Stats SA, Bokang Vumbukani Lepolesa, said agriculture, forestry and fishing industries decreased by 9,6%, contributing -0,3% to the negative GDP growth.
This was primarily due to decreased economic activities reported for field crops, animal products and horticulture products. The manufacturing industry decreased by 1,3% in the third quarter, contributing -0,1 of a percentage point. Eight of the ten manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates in the third quarter.
The food, beverages and tobacco division made the largest contribution to the decrease in the third quarter.
“The petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products division
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