For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: South Africa's GDP grew by 0.6% in the fourth quarter; Petrol, diesel prices to decrease; And, UN appeals for funds to help contain Uganda Ebola outbreak

South Africa's GDP grew by 0.6% in the fourth quarter

South Africa’s GDP increased by 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024, following a decrease of 0.1% in the third quarter of the year.

The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry increased by 17.2%, contributing 0.4 of a percentage point to the positive GDP growth. This was primarily owing to increased economic activities reported for field crops and animal products.

The finance, real estate and business services industry increased by 1.1%, contributing 0.3 of a percentage point.

The trade, catering and accommodation industry increased by 1.4%, contributing 0.2 of a percentage point. Increased economic activities were reported for wholesale trade, retail trade and motor trade.

Meanwhile, real GDP for the full 2024 increased by 0.6%, following an increase of 0.7% in 2023, with the growth primarily led by higher economic activities in finance, real estate and business services; personal services; and electricity, gas and water.

The agriculture; construction; trade; transport; manufacturing; and general government services industries recorded negative growth in 2024.

Petrol, diesel prices to decrease

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has confirmed that the price of petrol will decrease by 7c a litre from March 5, while diesel prices will decrease by between 17.5c and 23.5c a litre.

The average Brent crude oil price decreased from $77.41/barrel to $74.89/barrell during the January 31 to February 27 review period, on the back of continued lower global demand and oversupply from non-Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries producers.

The rand also appreciated to R18.50 to the dollar during the review period.

Further, the cumulative slate amounted to a positive balance of R2.29-billion for petrol and diesel at the end of January.

And, UN appeals for funds to help contain Uganda Ebola outbreak

The United Nations has launched an emergency appeal to raise $11.2-million to help fund Uganda's response to an Ebola outbreak that has killed two people, after the country's health budget was strained by US cuts to foreign aid.

Uganda declared the outbreak of the highly infectious and often fatal haemorrhagic disease in January in the capital Kampala after the death of a male nurse at the East African country's sole national referral hospital.

A second Ebola patient, a four-year-old child, died last week, the World Health Organization said, citing the country's health ministry.

Uganda's 10 confirmed cases have been linked to Ebola's Sudan strain which does not have an approved vaccine.

In a statement, the UN said the funds would cover the Ebola response from March to May in seven high-risk districts.

Uganda has traditionally relied heavily on the US for its health sector funding.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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