Kganyago Says S. African Leadership Set Solid Policy Trajectory

(Bloomberg) -- South Africa’s new political leadership under President Cyril Ramaphosa sets a solid and credible policy trajectory, Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said.

“South Africans couldn’t have hoped for a better leader than the president we have now,” Kganyago said in an interview with Bloomberg TV in London on Thursday. “He is a serious constitutionalist, he understands the importance of the rule of law, having been at forefront of drafting the constitution.”

Investor confidence started creeping back after the ruling African National Congress elected Ramaphosa as its new leader in December, paving the way for him to take over from Jacob Zuma when he resigned as the country’s president last month. Ramaphosa announced changes to the cabinet this week, including reappointing Nhlanhla Nene as finance minister, the position Zuma fired him from in 2015, a move that triggered a sell-off in the rand and bonds.

South Africa’s foreign- and local-currency credit ratings dropped to non-investment grade last year as Fitch Ratings Ltd. and S&P Global Ratings lowered their assessments, citing policy uncertainty and concerns about the management and finances of state-owned companies.

While Nene brings credibility to the Treasury, it “will take more than the finance minister” to avoid another junk credit rating, Kganyago said. Moody’s Investors Services has South Africa on review for a downgrade and may make an announcement on March 23.

“The future of South Africa’s credit rating is in the hands of the policymakers,” Kganyago said.

The rand has advanced 8.7 percent since Ramaphosa was elected as ANC leader.

“The move on the rand starting in December was a welcome correction, pricing in the prospect of a changing political leadership,” Kganyago said.

--With assistance from Ana Monteiro

To contact the reporters on this story: Francine Lacqua in London at flacqua@bloomberg.net, Tom Keene in New York at tkeene@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Rene Vollgraaff at rvollgraaff@bloomberg.net, Gordon Bell

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