Rand firms after Ramaphosa victory
After Cyril Ramaphosa was named new ANC president, the rand firmed by almost 4% against the US dollar to R 12.55.
JOHANNESBURG - Just before the announcement that Cyril Ramaphosa was voted in as new ANC president, the rand moved to its strongest level to the dollar since March this year amid rife speculation that Ramaphosa would win.
After Ramaphosa was confirmed as the new ANC president, the rand firmed by almost 4% against the US dollar to R12.55.
The rand has hit very strong levels last seen in early September with some good news for bonds as well.
#ANC54 The Rand slips back a bit after the announcement. Now R12.74/$, R17.07/Pound and R15.04/Euro RW
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) December 18, 2017
Standard Bank Economist Goolam Ballim says: “In the essence, after having been adrift for a decade and after having growth slump for many years, it is now the expectation that with Cyril Ramaphosa at the helm, growth will be reinvigorated.”
Shortly after Ramaphosa's victory was announced, South Africa's sovereign dollar bonds extended gains by as much as 1.2 cents.
There is a general consensus that the next leader of the ANC will need to steer the country away from another possible downgrade.
#ANC54 The Rand to the dollar today...
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) December 18, 2017
Now R12.62/$ RW pic.twitter.com/sTkD0KJKQJ
At the same time, South Africans are flooding social media platforms with their predictions (some believed to have inside info), messages of support with a pinch of humour.
It’s a boy
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) December 18, 2017
#ANC54
— $ibusiso $ithebe (@SibusisoSithebe) December 18, 2017
I have a feeling that we might have to wait for these results until 2018.
CR17 is a clear winner but Gogo Moloi is delaying the outcome.
Rand trading at CR17 to the dollar. #ANC54
— Sumanth Dasarath (@sumanth14) December 18, 2017
Does the Rand know something we don't... #ANC54
— Daniel Kamanga (@GilgalMedia) December 18, 2017
#ANC54 #CR17 won, recount for who, for what.... Welcom to new SA
— Tshilones (@Hope_t) December 18, 2017