Process & Operations

US trade tariffs are reshaping South Africa’s automotive market and accelerating consumer demand for pre-owned vehicles. Rising pressure on vehicle manufacturers, combined with increasing new car prices, is driving South Africans toward more affordable and practical alternatives.

Housing market data has shown a broad rise in the house price/rent ratio over some years. This trend would point to relative affordability shifting in favour of the rental option over buying. However, there is far more to consider in the “rent vs buy” debate. We recently saw the release of StatsSA’s House Price Indices for December 2025. This release completed the house price performance picture for last year.

Africa’s cement industry is expanding quickly, driven by urbanisation, infrastructure investment and rising demand for housing. However, behind this growth lies a persistent operational challenge: reliable and affordable access to electricity. Cement production requires large amounts of energy and remains highly sensitive to power interruptions.

Customer Experience (CX) outsourcing is entering a new era. For many years, the industry measured success through scale, including seat counts, headcount and cost-per-contact. While those metrics still matter, they no longer define success on their own. Brands expect far more demanding outcomes. They want measurable business impact, stronger trust protection and seamless customer journeys delivered at scale. These expectations are shaping the new rules of CX.

Airbnb is dominating the property conversation right now. Record tourism numbers, mounting pressure on housing supply in cities such as the City of Cape Town (COCT), and fresh regulatory movement from the city have pushed short-term letting beyond a side hustle. It is now serious business. However, alongside the opportunity, a growing and increasingly litigious tension is emerging in sectional title schemes.

We have acknowledged the recent implementation of anti-dumping tariff measures on selected steel imports. The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) published these measures on 20 March 2026. While we support the intention behind these measures, the organisation has also raised concerns about unintended consequences emerging within the market.

Whether you are a business owner or responsible for Human Resources (HR), the issue of cannabis use among employees will likely arise at some point. According to research released by the United Nations in 2020, about 3% of the South African population reported Cannabis use. That equals roughly 2 million people.

Public debate often frames short-term rental (STR) regulation as a clash between “disruptors” and “dinosaurs”. However, the reality for South African hospitality is both simpler and more urgent. The City of Cape Town’s move to impose commercial property rates on STRs does not represent an attack on innovation. Instead, it addresses a problem that policymakers have ignored for far too long.

As winter approaches, many businesses face a familiar challenge. Colds, flu and other respiratory infections increase among employees during this period. These illnesses spread easily in shared indoor spaces. As a result, businesses experience more sick days, disrupted operations and reduced productivity. This situation also places additional strain on already stretched teams. This absenteeism costs South African businesses billions annually.

From ceasefires to blockades, the world continues to feel increasingly unpredictable. Headlines remain dominated by conflict in the Middle East, rising geopolitical tension and markets reacting in real time. When the world feels uncertain, people naturally ask one question: Should I stay, or should I go?