The South African economy began its journey to recovery during the third quarter of 2020 - this after the national lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 had sent it into a tailspin.

The South African economy contracted by a staggering 51% in Quarter 2 of 2020, as the country reeled from the consequences of the COVID-19 enforced lockdown, Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke has revealed.

South Africa’s gross domestic product increased by 3.1% in the second quarter of 2019, Statistician General Risenga Maluleke revealed on Tuesday.

South Africa has come out of a technical recession with the economy growing by 2.2% in the third quarter of 2018, said Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).