Calculate the value of South Africa's national debt in US dollars for January 2026 and verify James's statement regarding currency exchange.

The rand is strongest when the exchange rate (Rand per US dollar) is at its lowest value. From the graph, the lowest point indicated is R14.46.

$$\text{Date of strongest rand} = \text{13 April 2022}$$

The exact date is 13 April 2022.

As of January 2026, the national debt is R6.09 trillion.
The exchange rate in January 2026 (specifically 27 Jan 2026) is R16.07 per US dollar.
One trillion is $10^{12}$.

$$\text{National debt in Rand} = 6.09 \times 10^{12} \text{ R}$$

$\text{Exchange rate} = 16.07 \text{ R/US\$}$ To convert Rand to US dollars, divide the Rand amount by the exchange rate. $\text{National debt in US dollars} = \frac{6.09 \times 10^{12} \text{ R}}{16.07 \text{ R/US\$}}$ $\text{National debt in US dollars} \approx 0.378967019 \times 10^{12} \text{ US\$}$ $\text{National debt in US dollars} \approx 378,967,019,290.60 \text{ US\$}$ The national debt in US dollars is approximately $378,967,019,290.60.

James exchanged R50 000 in April 2022 and January 2026.

• April 2022 visit: From the graph, the exchange rate on 13 April 2022 was R14.46 per US dollar. $\text{US dollars received in April 2022} = \frac{50000 \text{ R}}{14.46 \text{ R/US\$}}$ $\text{US dollars received in April 2022} \approx 3457.81466 \text{ US\$}$ $\text{US dollars received in April 2022} \approx 3457.81 \text{ US\$}$

• January 2026 visit: From the graph, the exchange rate on 27 January 2026 was R16.07 per US dollar. $\text{US dollars received in January 2026} = \frac{50000 \text{ R}}{16.07 \text{ R/US\$}}$ $\text{US dollars received in January 2026} \approx 3111.38768 \text{ US\$}$ $\text{US dollars received in January 2026} \approx 3111.39 \text{ US\$}$

• Calculate the difference:

  $$\text{Difference} = (\text{US dollars in April 2022}) - (\text{US dollars in January 2026})$$

  $\text{Difference} = 3457.81 \text{ US\$} - 3111.39 \text{ US\$}$ $\text{Difference} = 346.42 \text{ US\$}$ James claimed he received $346.42 less in January 2026 than in April 2022. Our calculation matches his claim.

James's statement is correct.