South Africa will avoid a recession this year with a recovery in areas like mining and manufacturing likely to lift growth in the last three quarters, the Reserve Bank said yesterday. Economic growth contracted 1.2% in the first quarter as the mining, manufacturing and agricultural sectors retreated.The country should, however, narrowly avoid a recession, despite the bank last week cutting its growth forecast for this year to zero, deputy governor Daniel Mminele said in a speech posted on the bank's website."The SARB does not believe that a contraction in the second quarter is likely," Mminele said.Last week the bank kept its benchmark interest rate on hold, saying a weak economy persuaded it to pause a hiking cycle.Manufacturing output rose more than expected in May, while mining contracted at a slower rate in the same month.On the UK's decision to quit the EU, Mminele said South Africa would be among the hardest hit economies in Africa."South Africa could suffer the most, given its strong investment and financial links with the UK," said Mminele. ..