In response to Mr Debt, the *real* interest rates - after accounting for the fact our inflation is over 6% and theirs is zero or negative - are the same at about roughly 1% in both countries.

why are they so stingy to cut the rates they can always increase it if needed that little bit of extra for a month or two can be real helpful to alot of people who are charge as i type this mail the last thing cost money the only thing free is air and if they could sell it they would and if you cannot afford it then you die to bad. sorry for inconvenience

Well done m/s Marcus , perhaps the Left COSATU /SACP will learn that pensioners who depend on income form interest rates also have a right to existance. Hope you will follow a path of Common Sense and not outdated and failed Philosophies we are so often bombarded with .

Please explain, how come United States cut there rates to zero? Why could SA not cut rates to at least 5 percent?