South African public data — province-aware views

Interest Rates & Inflation

SARB policy, prime lending, and CPI — what drives bonds, rents, and business costs.

Repo rate

7.0%

CPI period: June 2026

Prime lending rate

10.5%

Most home loans priced off prime

Headline CPI

5.0%

Inflation target band 3–6%

Within SARB band

Bond on R1.5m home

R14,976

Est. 20yr at prime — illustrative

Prime − repo spread

3.50pp

Bank margin on policy rate

Real borrowing rate

5.5%

Prime minus headline CPI

Moderate real rate

CPI vs target midpoint

0.5pp

Distance from 4.5% midpoint

Hot inflation category

Food & non-alcoholic beverages

6.8% annual change

Food inflation

6.8%

Largest household budget pressure

Transport inflation

3.1%

Fuel and mobility costs

Housing & utilities

4.2%

Rent, water, and electricity costs

Repo change (quarter)

+0.00pp

Policy rate move since prior quarter

Repo rate history (quarterly)

CPI by category

Headline CPI trend

Monthly bond repayment vs home price

At prime 10.5% over 20 years

Sources: South African Reserve Bank · Statistics South Africa · National Treasury· Updated 01 Aug 2026