Johannesburg - South Africa's economy grew at its lowest rate in ten years in the third quarter of this year, slowing dramatically to 0.2 per cent from 5.1 per cent in the second quarter, public radio reported.

Statistics South Africa reported three out of ten sectors actually shrunk over the quarter - mining, manufacturing and retail.

The slowdown was more acute than had been predicted. Analysts were expecting GDP growth to reach 0.4 per cent in the quarter. The quarterly growth rate is the slowest recorded since 1998, SAfm public radio reported.

The government expects growth, which has averaged 5 per cent since 2003, to fall to 3.7 this year as the effects of the global financial crisis, local energy shortages and a weakening rand take effect. (dpa)