SA’s economy grew much more than expected in the second quarter — by a seasonally adjusted and annualised 3.3% — after a 1.2% contraction in the first quarter.The economy expanded by 0.6% in the second quarter of 2016 compared with the second quarter of 2015, Statistics SA data showed on Tuesday.Markets had expected growth of 2.7% in the second quarter compared with the first.Manufacturing and mining and quarrying were the main contributors to gross domestic product (GDP) as measured by production in the second quarter, data showed.Manufacturing increased by 8.1% due to higher production in petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products; and motor vehicles.Mining and quarrying grew by 11.8% largely as a result of higher production of platinum group metals.Only agriculture, forestry and fishing; and electricity, gas and water contracted in the second quarter. Agriculture has been in decline for six consecutive quarters mainly as the effects of a severe drought continue.Sta...
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