A report by South African Bureau of Market Research, Economists have warned weaker growth, higher inflationary pressure and a more cautious interest rate environment as global risks continue to weigh on the economic outlook. Forecasts from the latest Economist of the Year Competition indicate that South Africa's real Gross Domestic Product growth for 2026 has been revised down to 1.3 percent, while inflation is expected to rise to 3.9 percent. The outlook is being shaped largely by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which are driving volatility in global oil markets and raising concerns about sustained cost pressures. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Professor Carel van Aardt, Chief Operating Officer at Bureau of Market Research