Finance News Update | 27 Feb 2026
- Phophi K

- Feb 27
- 2 min read

General Headlines
Budget 2026 Delivers Relief
Enoch Godongwana struck a confident and optimistic tone during his Budget Speech in Cape Town on Wednesday, a noticeable shift from the turbulence that defined the three budgets of 2025.
Budget 2026 is widely viewed as a welcome reset. Key highlights include full inflation adjustments to personal income tax brackets and medical tax credits for the first time in three years, effectively eliminating bracket creep. Importantly, no major tax increases were introduced, and small businesses received meaningful support measures. Overall, the 2026 Budget stands out as a largely positive and stabilising fiscal update. Moneyweb
Government Commits R3bn to Accelerate Digital Infrastructure
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has emphasised that data infrastructure is now as critical to economic development as electricity and transport networks.
Government has allocated more than R3 billion toward digital infrastructure projects under SA Connect, while aiming to unlock approximately R50 billion in private sector investment over the next three years.
Highlighting the growing importance of AI and data-driven economies, the minister indicated that policy options are being explored to support the expansion of data centres and related infrastructure, positioning South Africa as a potential regional technology hub. Business Day
Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak Pushes Up Prices
South African consumers are likely to face higher beef and pork prices as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) continues to disrupt the meat supply chain. Fast food outlets have already begun passing rising input costs on to customers.
Beyond local outbreaks, regional cases in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Eswatini which are key trade partners, have compounded supply pressures. The price surge is expected to feed into broader inflation dynamics, adding further strain to household budgets. Business Day
Markets & Investments
Gold Heads for Seventh Straight Monthly Gain Amid Global Uncertainty
Gold prices remained steady on Friday, supported by declining US Treasury yields, which reduced the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion. While a stronger US dollar capped gains, the metal remains on track for its seventh consecutive month of increases.
Gold has climbed more than 6% in February alone, as persistent US tariff uncertainty and renewed US-Iran tensions reinforced its safe haven appeal.
The momentum underscores continued global risk aversion in financial markets. Business Day
Property & Real Assets
R1 Billion Commercial Portfolio Hits the Auction Block
Aucor Property has kicked off 2026 with strong momentum following a record breaking close to 2025, where sales exceeded R2.7 billion.
The firm’s first auction of the year attracted over 200 registered bidders, with more than 50 lots sold and transactions surpassing R260 million.
Looking ahead, Aucor will bring R1 billion worth of prime commercial property to auction on 17 March. Appetite remains firm, with developers and investors actively pursuing commercial opportunities. Market sentiment suggests 2026 could represent a pivotal year for South Africa’s property sector. Property Wheel



