Gayton McKenzie accused of not understanding fashion industry after his meeting with Shein
Fashion designer David Tlale said he doesn’t think Gayton McKenzie understands the complexities of the clothing and textile industry.
At 0700 GMT, the rand traded at 17.56 against the U.S. dollar, up about 0.2% on Tuesday’s closing level.
Statistics South Africa will release June consumer inflation figures at 0800 GMT, which could influence the central bank's thinking ahead of an interest rate decision next week.
Economists polled by Reuters predicted that inflation will rise to 3.0% year-on-year, up from 2.8% in May.
National Assembly lawmakers will start debating the budget's Appropriation Bill from about 0800 GMT.
The second-biggest party in the coalition government had threatened to vote against the budgets of departments led by ministers it had accused of wrongdoing, which could have derailed Wednesday's vote.
But the Democratic Alliance changed its stance and said it would back the bill after President Cyril Ramaphosa agreed to one of its demands and dismissed a minister embroiled in a misconduct scandal.
The yield on South Africa’s benchmark 2035 government bond was little-changed at 9.84% in early deals.
