We believe that the 0.8% economic growth rate for 2018 as a whole was likely “property negative”, sustaining negative real growth in property values and total returns in single digits.

Growth in the value of outstanding credit balances in the South African household sector, which amounted to R1 641,5 billion, increased further to 5,9% year-on-year (y/y) at end January from 5,7% y/y at end-December and 3,7% the end of January last year.

Work is afoot on reconfiguring the South African electricity sector by addressing challenges faced by Eskom, with the board of the first subsidiary of the power utility to be appointed by mid-2019, Treasury said on Wednesday.

Minister Tito Mboweni’s 1st Budget is likely to be a “tough” budget, with economic weakness constraining revenues along with a seemingly endless list of urgent spending priorities, some bordering on crises, giving him little room to manoeuvre.

Reacting to the President’s address, Yael Geffen, CEO of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, said South Africa was the living embodiment of the “good news, bad news” paradigm.

Rudi Botha, CEO of SA’s leading bond originator BetterBond, says the SONA was very wide ranging and covered a huge number of initiatives, but that there were definitely some highlights for the real estate market.

Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group, says that the very detailed State of the Nation Address dealt with all of the economic and social issues that are currently of concern to the real estate industry, including the need to rebuild investor and consumer confidence in SA, stimulate economic growth, accelerate job creation and eliminate widespread corruption.

“South Africa’s residential market is in for an interesting time in 2019, but our predictions for the year are all positive, and we believe that home buyers and investors who take the plunge and buy early will be well-rewarded.”

The Firstrand economic team expects a 25 basis point interest rate hike this week when the SARB (South African Reserve Bank) MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) meets to deliberate on interest rates.

Foreign exchange and inflation have stabilized in Nigeria amid emerging market pressures.