Economy
Trade activity holds steady
Trade activity was restrained but steady last month, with the trade activity index measuring 54 points, the same as February, the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) said yesterday. In March last year the index was at 56 points. The seasonally adjusted index declined 1 index point to 50 last month and was down from 52 a year ago. “The marginally improved business climate in March helped to keep trade conditions in positive territory despite tighter overall financial conditions and the financial stresses experienced by the consumer,” Sacci said. – Sapa
Tourism
December the best on record
December last year recorded the most tourists in South Africa in one month, statistician-general Pali Lehohla said yesterday. A total of 937 792 tourists visited, an increase of 7.6 percent on a year earlier. Last year nearly 10 million tourists (9 531 426) were recorded in the country, an increase of 3.7 percent from the previous year. Lehohla said 68.9 percent of the tourists were from Southern African Development Community countries and 28.1 percent from overseas. A tourist is described as someone who stays one night or more away from home. – Sapa
Media
Icasa rushes to meet on DA ad
The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) had referred the DA’s advert complaint case against the SABC to its complaints and compliance committee “on an urgent basis for adjudication”, the communications watchdog said yesterday. The committee’s public hearings were due to begin last night. The DA laid a complaint with Icasa on Saturday after the SABC failed to broadcast its election advertisement. The “Ayisafani” advert was pulled off the air last week, along with four radio adverts. – Sapa