Johannesburg (People's Daily) - South Africa's economy contracted by 2.2% in the first quarter of 2018, the worst quarterly contraction in 9 years.

Statistics South Africa released on Tuesday the data showing that contraction occurred after the economy grew 3.1% in the fourth quarter of 2017.

The report said that agriculture, mining and manufacturing were the main contributors to the slowdown, with the electricity, construction and trade industries also recording negative growth. The 2.2% fall is the largest quarter-on-quarter decline since the first quarter of 2009. In that quarter, the economy contracted by 6.1%.

After recording four consecutive quarters of robust growth in 2017, the agriculture industry lost ground in the first quarter of 2018, contracting by 24.2%, the largest quarter-on-quarter fall since the second quarter of 2006.

Mining entered into recession with its second consecutive quarter of economic decline. Production was down 9.9% in the first quarter of 2018, following a decrease of 4.4% in the fourth quarter of 2017. Lower production in gold, platinum group metals and iron ore were the main contributors to falling performance.

Manufacturing also failed to make a positive contribution to economic growth, falling by 6.4%. The decline was driven largely by a fall in production of petroleum and chemical products, as well as basic iron and steel.

The trade, construction and electricity industries also recorded negative growth in the first quarter of 2018 compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. Trade activity fell by 3.1%, on the back of weaker wholesale, retail and motor trade sales and lower activity in catering and accommodation.

According to News24, South Africa's new president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has just crossed 100 days in office with increasing signs that his honeymoon period is already over. "The accompanying impatience which seemed suspended since he took over in February is reemerging."

Ramaphosa replaced Jacob Zuma as leader of the ruling party in December and as president in the middle of February. As a successful businessman, Ramaphosa pledged a business-like approach to government and to root out corruption.