Effects of the Mining Strikes on the South African
The current account deficit is already a key weakness in South Africas economy, putting its rand currency under even more pressure. It grew in 2013 to 5,8% of GDP, its widest since 2008. For the current account, the losses will be magnified as South Africas government embarks on a spending binge for big ticket items such as over 1 000 trains that will be imported from foreign companies.