Following are economists' reactions to the decision by the Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee to keep the repo rate unchanged at 7.0 percent.

Colen Garrow, Brait:

"We should not dismiss the chance for a cut. I think that chance is alive and well and we could still get one more cut of 50 basis points for now. The economic recovery will be uneven and the biggest risk is Eskom. We will only know in February what the Eskom outcome will be. There may also be a change to the target and if this is widened, then the Bank will be more comfortable cutting."

Doret Els, Quantum Asset Management:

"As we expected, the repo rate was kept unchanged at 7.0 percent. With recent economic indicators showing improvement, albeit only less dismal figures, the SARB will probably adopt a 'wait and see' attitude for the better part of the year, especially in the presence of inflation expected to linger above 5.5 percent in 2010.

"Also important is that a significant part of the local recovery is dependent on that of the international recovery, limiting the degree to which the economy can be stimulated by local monetary policy alone."

Nicky Weimar, Nedbank:

"There was no controversy with regards to the decision. It was widely anticipated, and at this point of the recovery, it is the right thing to do to keep the rate unchanged."

Elize Kruger, KADD Capital:

"Some emphasis on the forward-looking nature of monetary policy goes a long way to explain why rates were not lowered further, clearly there are signs appearing that signal that the recovery could gain momentum in the next 12-18 months, while the risk on electricity price hikes over this horizon remains a concern to the Bank.

"As long as forward looking indicators continue to improve eg the SARB's leading indicator released yesterday, Kagiso PMI etc, the SARB is likely to keep rates unchanged at the current level. The recovery in the local economy in the next 12 months, will be key in this regard."