Real pressure is almost always unexpected, and SA was woefully unprepared for the squeeze that is being put on it now by the US. Its responses have been confused and conflicting as a result. 

The rand has slumped badly (https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/markets/2025-04-07-rand-fall-blamed-on-gnu-threat-of-collapse/) against the dollar, sterling and the euro. The all share index on the JSE has fallen precipitously (https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/markets/2025-04-04-sa-inc-bleeding-as-scene-set-for-global-recession/), from almost 90,000 to almost 80,000 in just a few days. Bond yields, which track the cost of repaying our debt, have risen alarmingly. ..

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