Number of the Day | R16,60 | 1 October 2026
The rand has weakened through R16.60 to the US dollar, its lowest level in around two months after trading below R16 at the end of August. Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack what is driving the reversal, including rising US bond yields, inflation expectations and the renewed attraction of dollar-based investments.
But R16.60 is not just a markets story. A weaker rand can make imported fuel more expensive, add to inflation pressure and feed through to farming, logistics and food prices, while exporters can benefit from selling into stronger foreign currencies. The bigger question is whether this is a temporary market reaction or the start of a more sustained period of pressure on the rand.
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Chapter List
(00:00) R16.60/$: The Rand hits a two-month low
(01:13) How a weaker Rand makes fuel more expensive
(02:08) Why US bond yields are hurting the Rand
(03:00) Is the Rand slide just a blip?
(04:27) How Rand weakness reaches food prices
