Mboweni hopes Moody's will be as upbeat as Treasury

LONDON — The question being asked by economists tonight is whether Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has managed to avoid a ratings downgrade by Moody’s. At the news conference before the budget speech, Reserve bank governor, Lesetja Kganyago said the banking system had planned for this scenario and that the system will be able to withstand a downgrade, while Minister Mboweni said the conversations with the ratings agencies were difficult, but he believed the practical steps taken by the Government should be seen as positive. - Linda van Tilburg