Factory production rose 4.9% month on month in September. Analysts had predicted a 2.35% fall in annual terms in September and for output to be flat month on month.

Statistics South Africa reports that the biggest manufacturing output gains came from the transportation sector - the building of motor vehicles, parts, and accessories. This sector gained 43.2% in September versus 20.1% in August.

Another notable gain was in the food and beverage sector, which saw its output rise 8.1% in September compared to a 3.8% drop in August.