A reduction in load shedding has contributed slightly to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product growth.

This is according to Stats SA’s Chief Director National Accounts, Bokang Vumbukani Lepolesa. She was speaking as South Africa narrowly missed a recession in the fourth quarter of last year. The GDP grew by a mere 0.1% during that period.

This increase is despite of load-shedding, high-petrol costs, inflation and a weaking Rand. Lepolesa says that South Africa endures the equivalent of 63 days of load shedding in the fourth quarter, which was less than the previous period under review.