PayInc Economic Index: August Recovery, Fragile Outlook

After a difficult second quarter, South Africa’s economic activity improved in August — rising 0.8% month‑on‑month, with July revised upward to 0.6%. But the outlook remains fragile. Independent Economist Elize Kruger joins Kaya Biz to unpack the latest PayInc Economic Index and explain what the data reveals about consumer behaviour, household pressure, business caution, and the broader macro environment. She connects the dots between rising fuel prices, subdued investment, weakening confidence, and the mixed signals coming from PMI data, vehicle sales, and transaction volumes.