Finance News Update | 8 Dec 2025
- Phophi

- Dec 8, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 16, 2025

General headlines
Major interest rate benchmark shift
The South African Reserve Bank noted that more than 135,000 retail mortgage contracts will need to be renegotiated as the Johannesburg interbank average rate is phased out by the end of 2026. A large portion of these Jibar-linked mortgages were issued by SA Home Loans, serving clients of Capitec, Discovery Bank, and Old Mutual. (News24)
Private schools face severe financial pressure
VAT-registered private schools in South Africa may be compelled to deregister for VAT and repay prior VAT claims to SARS from January 2027. This stems from a proposed change in the 2025 tax legislation, which aims to reverse what government now considers “incorrect” VAT refunds that schools were never meant to claim. School bodies warn that this could impose significant financial strain, potentially driving school fees even higher. (BusinessTech)
Another R311 million down the drain
The troubled Thohoyandou taxi rank in Limpopo—under construction since 2011—has now cost the state R311 million, yet it remains non-operational. Despite the appointment of a new contractor and an additional R47 million allocated in October, no visible work has begun. Three years ago, the project had already consumed R275 million with no progress. (Newsday)
Investments
South African stock market outperforms globally
South Africa’s JSE delivered one of the strongest global market performances in November. The FTSE/JSE capped SWIX index climbed 2.3% month-on-month, trailing only Brazil’s Bovespa (+6.4% MoM). Surging metal prices reignited strong returns from precious-metal miners, with gold and platinum producers gaining an average of 13% in November. Morningstar reports that South African financial markets have quietly been among the world’s best performers in 2025.(BusinessTech)
Property
Trouble for landlords as rent defaults rise
The latest TPN residential rental monitor shows a growing number of tenants falling behind on rent, highlighting the financial pressure households are under. The share of tenants making no rental payment rose from 6% in Q2 to 6.15% in Q3. With household budgets increasingly constrained, tenants have less capacity to absorb rising living costs—placing landlords in a challenging position.(BusinessTech)
Menlyn Office Park to undergo R850 million residential transformation
Parento and Divercity Urban Property Group have begun converting Menlyn Office Park into a large-scale residential development valued at R850 million. The project includes creating 460 apartments by repurposing existing buildings and constructing four new buildings that will add 740 additional units, some reaching up to 10 storeys. The Menlyn precinct continues to expand as demand grows for centrally located, mixed-use housing near Menlyn Park Shopping Centre and Menlyn Maine. (Business Day)


