REPUBLIC OF S A CONSIDERING STERLING BOND ISSUE

Issued by: Department of Finance

PRESS RELEASE BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE WITH REGARD TO ESTABLISHING A STERLING BENCHMARK

As part of its policy to open new capital markets and to broaden its investor base, the Republic of South Africa is considering a sterling bond issue in 1996. The Department has appointed J P Morgan Securities Ltd, and SBC Warburg, a division of Swiss Bank Corporation, as joint bookrunners. Market conditions will determine the timing of the issue and further details will become available in due course.

Contact persons:

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, PRETORIA

Maria Ramos Tel: 012 315 5692 Christo Roets Tel: 012 315 5693

J P MORGAN SECURITIES LTD.

Tony Best Tel: 0944 171 325 4925 Richard Luddington Tel: 0944 171 779 2433

SBC WARBURG

Manfred Schepers Tel: 0944 171 711 2478 Patrick O'Brien Tel: 0944 171 711 2265 John Raubenheimer Tel: 011 447 6270