The value of building plans approved in South Africa slipped by 11.2% year-on-year to ZAR 7394 million in February 2026, following an upwardly revised 1.2% rise in the prior month. Steep declines in permits for non-residential buildings (-43.6% vs 27.7% in January) and additions & alterations (-6.1% vs -15.5%) more than offset the increase in residential ones (8.4% vs 1%).