Economists polled by Reuters had predicted gross domestic product (GDP) would be unchanged from the previous quarter. First-quarter GDP increased 0.8% on a year-on-year basis, versus economists' forecasts for 0.7% growth.

The agriculture and transport sectors made a positive contribution, while mining and manufacturing saw lower output.

Statistics SA revised its estimate of fourth-quarter growth to 0.4% quarter-on-quarter, from an initial estimate of 0.6%.

--Reuters--