Index results suggest government support efforts didn't fully compensate vulnerable households.
Africa Economy News Headlines, Economy Breaking News
Bond yields have returned to near pre-COVID-19 levels and the rand has recovered from record lows, although that recovery remains fragile.
Gross reserves dipped to $52.320 billion at the end of June from $52.769 billion in the prior month.
Government seems oblivious to the dangers of letting the genie out of the bottle with its continued sales ban on tobacco products.
The JSE closed higher than in the last nine trading sessions due to the China-led optimism.
At 1545 GMT the rand was 0.57% firmer at R16.96 per dollar.
The surplus was the first since the first quarter of 2003.
At 0704 GMT, the rand traded at R17.00 versus the dollar, around 0.3% stronger than its previous close.
Bond prices firmed, with the yield on the benchmark 2030 issue down 3.5 basis points at 9.235%.
That would be the deepest quarterly decline since at least 1990.
Bonds were also firmer, with the yield on the benchmark 2030 issue down 2.5 basis points to 9.245%.
Bonds weakened, with the yield on the benchmark government issue due in 2030 up 9.5 basis points to 9.265%.