Harare-The South African rand has been holding steady since the start of the week and was little changed in early trade on Thursday, trading at 19.0975 against the dollar at 0611 GMT, the same as its previous close. The dollar was also broadly unchanged against a basket of global currencies.

Despite a tumultuous May where the rand lost over 7% against the dollar due to record power cuts and U.S. allegations that South Africa had supplied arms to Russia, the currency has been recovering since then. The rand briefly strengthened below 19 to the dollar for the first time in three weeks on Wednesday, boosted by a weakening greenback and an easing of rolling power cuts.

Investors are now looking to South Africa's first-quarter current account balance and April manufacturing data for clues about the health of Africa's most industrialized economy. However, investor sentiment remains sour, with survey data on Wednesday showing business confidence at a three-year low.

According to Rand Merchant Bank analysts, "Strong rand gains continue, yet USD/ZAR now faces the tough test of breaking through the psychologically important 19.00 level." While the rand's positive momentum is a good sign, there are still challenges that need to be addressed to restore investor confidence in the country's economy.

One of the main challenges is the ongoing power cuts, which have been a major issue for the country's businesses and households. The government needs to take decisive action to address the power crisis and ensure a stable supply of electricity. This will help to attract foreign investment and restore business confidence.

Another challenge is the recent U.S. allegations that South Africa supplied arms to Russia, which have raised concerns about the country's reputation and its relationship with the United States. The government needs to address these allegations and ensure that its international relationships are not negatively impacted.

Overall, while the rand's positive momentum is a good sign, there are still challenges that need to be addressed to restore investor confidence and ensure sustainable economic growth. The government needs to take decisive action to address the power crisis and the recent U.S. allegations to promote a stable and attractive investment environment for businesses and investors.