South African markets rise on metals, global shares

South African stocks rose during the year's first trading session on Friday, boosted by strong industrial metals, while firmer global markets also helped lift the rand.The blue-chip Top-40 index climbed 1.23 percent to 19,683.94 points while the broader All-Share index gained 1.19 percent to 21,764.90 points in the first session of 2009.But volumes were thin with few investors at work following the Jan. 1 holiday and ahead of the weekend.