News 30 March 2026

1.Zimbabwe Council of Churches Calls for Justice and National Engagement on Palm Sunday

• Summary: Marking Palm Sunday on March 29, ZCC General Secretary Rev. Wilfred Dimingu urged Christians to remain active as "the salt of the earth" by engaging in national issues. He specifically called on believers to participate in public hearings for proposed constitutional amendments to ensure a future based on justice and the common good.
• ZCC Official YouTube, Christian Daily International

 

 2. FNB Warns Middle East Conflict Could Derail South Africa's Economic Recovery

• Summary: FNB economists warned on March 30 that the escalating Middle East conflict could dampen South Africa’s growth prospects. With oil prices surging, petrol and diesel costs are set to rise sharply in April (by over R5 and R10 per liter, respectively), posing a significant upside risk to inflation and future interest rate decisions.
•  BusinessTech

 

3.  SA Tourism Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Levels with 10.5 Million Visitors in 2025

• Summary: Stats SA reported on March 27 that international tourist arrivals reached 10.5 million in 2025, a 17.7% increase from 2024. This marks the first time tourism figures have surpassed 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels, highlighting the sector's crucial role in driving employment and economic gains.
•  Statistics South Africa

 

4. Middle East Conflict and 'Fuel Price Surge' Dominate Regional Keywords

• Summary: "Oil Price," "Inflation," and "Middle East Conflict" have emerged as the most dominant keywords in Southern African media this week. As crude prices top $116 per barrel, concerns over soaring logistics costs and a looming cost-of-living crisis are dominating regional headlines.
•  Al Jazeera Africa, BusinessTech