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Are you a young economist passionate about data, coding and solving real-world economic problems? Join the BER at Stellenbosch University for a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in economic research, quantitative analysis and software development. You will get to work on meaningful projects alongside experienced economists, while learning everything from academic writing to deploying dashboards. Apply by 15 November 2026
The economy, one story at a time Interactive explainers built from public data. Each story follows a single question through the numbers — budgets, institutions and the policy choices behind them.
30.25/litre
29.38/litre
4.4% y-o-y
5.0%
0.6% y-o-y
10.75 %
3.4% y-o-y
-4.3% y-o-y
Weekly Review | 16 October
The seasonally adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose by 4.9 points to 50.7 index points in September 2026, returning above the neutral 50-point mark after three consecutive months in contractionary territory. Encouragingly, the new sales orders index rebounded sharply and moved back above the neutral mark, while business activity recovered most of August’s steep decline.
The FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index declined by three index points to 40 in 2026Q3. The activity index fell sharply again this quarter, also weighing on profitability.
The release calendar will be updated each quarter. Please note that these dates may change.
Wednesday
2 December 2026
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI)
Monday
7 December 2026
FNB/BER Building Confidence Index
Wednesday
9 December 2026
Absa Manufacturing Survey
Thursday
10 December 2026
FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)
Tuesday
15 December 2026
Other Services Survey
Friday
11 December 2026
Retail Survey
Wednesday
6 January 2027
FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index
Tuesday
8 December 2026
Inflation Expectations Survey
Monday
14 December 2026
Building Cost Report (BCIS)
The first working day of each month
Absa PMI
The first working day of each month
Update
The first week of each month
Trends
Every Friday
BER Weekly
The BER Economist Internship Programme provides practical training to appropriately qualified previously disadvantaged individuals. The programme equips trainees to function as economists in the private and/or the public sector.
