Jacob Zuma is causing turmoil in financial markets and unwittingly throwing a lifeline to his country’s struggling gold industry. Mr Zuma’s decision to fire respected finance minister Nhlanhla Nene drove the rand to a record low, instantly reducing labour and other costs in the local currency for mining companies, relative to the US dollars they earn by selling gold. A weak rand offers relief to an industry plagued by labour unrest, ageing mines and power shortages. Gavin Wood comments.
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