Explore how South Africa's proposed 16% VAT rate stacks up against global standards and what it means for consumers.

South Africa's National Treasury on Wednesday proposed a smaller hike in value-added tax in a revised budget aimed at smoothing divisions in the ruling coalition, but uncertainty remained over whether it would get the support in parliament to pass.

South Africa has entered uncharted waters following deep divisions in the coalition government over the national budget that has finally been tabled after a month-long delay.