Continued evidence of some diverging trends at segment level in the planning and construction phases of residential building activity.

The first quarter of 2019 saw significant diverging trends at a segment level in private sector financed residential building activity in South Africa.

The planning phase of residential building activity improved in the first half of 2018, but the construction phase contracted sharply.

With inflation still within the target range, but with concerns following a round of fuel price increases and other potential inflationary impacts, as was anticipated, the Monetary Policy Committee kept the repo rate unchanged following this week’s meeting, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

According to Jacques du Toit, Property Analyst at Absa Home Loans, the first nine months of 2015 saw the value of outstanding credit balances in the South African household sector rising by 4,3% year-on-year (y/y).

Household credit and mortgage balances growth up on base effects .

Delays in opening new outlets in Zambia and Tanzania will not hold back Botswana’s grocer Choppies from achieving its 2016 growth target of operating 200 stores.

Strong growth in residential building activity on a segment level .