A sharp contraction in mining output and a decline in manufacturing in March, following an improvement in business confidence in the first quarter and forecasts for better economic growth, mean that the outlook for employment data is uncertain. Improvements in the political climate since the ANC's elective conference in December boosted business confidence in the first quarter of the year, which could lift the jobs data that will be published in the Quarterly Labour Force Survey on Tuesday. Higher growth is also forecast. The IMF in its regional economic outlook this week revised South Africa's economic growth to 1.5% for 2018 - in line with the National Treasury's prediction - and 1.7% in 2019. But mining production fell 8.4% in March compared to a year before - its biggest contraction in two years, which John Ashbourne, Africa economist at Capital Economics, called "dispiriting". Manufacturing fell 1.3% in March compared to the previous period last year as the stronger rand hit ex...
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