09/06/2026
Prime is now 10.5%. Here’s what a rate hike actually changes for your monthly budget and what it doesn’t.
The Reserve Bank has raised the repo rate to 7%, which means the prime lending rate has moved to 10.5%. For many South Africans, that may mean slightly higher repayments on home loans, vehicle finance and other variable-rate debt.
That matters. But it does not mean you need to panic. A rate hike is a reminder to pause and check your numbers. How much more will your debt cost each month? Does your budget still have breathing room? Is your emergency fund still enough to cover a few months of essential expenses if life becomes more expensive?
These are the moments where financial planning proves its value. A good plan is not built on guessing what the market, inflation or interest rates will do next. It is built to help you make steady decisions when conditions change.
So before making any big financial moves in reaction to one announcement, take the boring but powerful first step: review your budget, understand your repayments, and speak to your financial adviser if you are unsure how this affects your longer-term plan.
Short-term noise should not knock you off a long-term path.
Read the full post here: https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/sarb-raises-repo-rate-7
The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7%, effective from 29 May 2026.