GUEST: Sello Sekele – Economist, ABSA

South Africa’s factory floor is losing rhythm again. The ABSA Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slipped back below the crucial 50-point mark in October, dropping to 49.2 from 50.8 the previous month signalling renewed contraction in the country’s manufacturing activity.

The data paints a picture of fragile recovery and fading confidence: business activity fell sharply, new sales orders declined, and exports continued their seven-month slide weighed down by US trade tariffs and persistent port bottlenecks. Kaya FM