New data confirms that South Africa's economy, the largest in Africa, has
slipped into a recession for the first time since 1992.
The government
said Tuesday that the country's gross domestic product shrank 6.4 percent in the
first quarter of this year.
It was the second straight quarter of decline
for South Africa's GDP, which shrank 1.8 percent in the last quarter of 2008.
Demand for South African exports has dropped, and this was reflected in
data showing slumps in the country's mining and manufacturing
sectors.
The findings will likely lead to pressure on South Africa's
central bank to further cut interest rates.
The first-quarter decline was much larger than most
economists had expected. Polls of economists conducted last week forecast a drop
of 3.9 percent.
Correspondent Scott Bobb, in Johannesburg, is following the story. Hear his conversation with Joe De Capua about the South African economy by clicking audio link in right column.