LONDON (Standard&Poor's) March 29, 2006--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today it assigned its 'BBB+' senior unsecured debt rating to the upcoming benchmark euro-denominated bond issued by the Republic of South Africa (foreign currency BBB+/Stable/A-2; local currency, A+/Stable/A-1). At the same time, Standard&Poor's launched its national credit rating scale for South Africa. The Republic of South Africa was assigned 'zaAAA' long-term and 'zaA-1' short-term national scale ratings. These ratings for the sovereign are the highest long- and short-term ratings on the South Africa national rating scale. "The ratings on South Africa are supported by the sovereign's prudent macroeconomic policies, a moderate debt burden, and strong and stable political institutions," said Standard&Poor's credit analyst Beatriz
