Tag: SouthAfrica

From the sawdust-covered floors of a small Krugersdorp joinery to Johannesburg’s boardrooms, Forged in Grit tells an extraordinary story. Barry Philip Lok, founder of William Tell, traces his journey from humble beginnings in the 1970s to building one of South Africa’s leading publicly listed manufacturing businesses.

The labour market in South Africa faces two constant challenges - persistent skills shortages and a high unemployment rate. Despite the market being flooded with job-seekers, businesses often struggle to find suitable talent when they need it. This is why Temporary Employment Services (TES) providers are crucial for connecting employers with ready-to-work candidates. However, a stereotype persists.

In March 2026, the South African Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) handed down a significant decision in The Regents of the University of California & Others vs Eurolab (Pty) Ltd & Others. The case turned on a deceptively simple question: who is legally entitled to apply for a patent under South African law?

Lilian Ngoyi was a trailblazing figure in South Africa’s liberation struggle. She was an electrifying orator, a key architect of the 1956 Women’s March, and the first woman elected to the African National Congress’ (ANC) National Executive Committee. Yet her life story has never been fully told.

The US-Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz weighed on the global economy in the second quarter of 2026. Higher energy prices pushed global inflation higher. Consequently, some markets adopted a more hawkish monetary policy stance. The operating environment in South Africa (SA) during the first half of 2026 was mixed. Real GDP growth in the first quarter surprised on the upside.

In the first revision since 2017, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), Parks Tau, has gazetted amendments to the merger notification thresholds and filing fees. The amendments took effect on 1 May 2026. The amendments, published on 8 May 2026, confirm the previously proposed draft thresholds and filing fees, as set out below. The changes mark a significant adjustment to South Africa’s merger control regime.

At the beginning of the year, there was cautious optimism that the construction environment, while still constrained, might at least become more predictable. However, that optimism did not last. Within weeks, the Iran conflict and disruptions to global energy markets pushed fuel prices sharply higher. The knock-on effects spread across the entire construction delivery chain. They affected plant operations, transport, materials, labour allocation and project timelines.

The Public Procurement Act 28 of 2024 is signed but not yet in force. However, the Constitutional Court is yet to rule on a challenge by the Western Cape Government, the City of Cape Town and amaBhungane. They argue that Parliament failed to facilitate reasonable public participation on material amendments, as required by section 59(1)(a) of the Constitution. That judgment is still pending.

The Financial Intelligence Centre’s attempt to impose retrospective penalties for a period extending fully five years prior to the existence of any lawful authority is not merely misguided, it is a brazen affront to the rule of law.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) cannot grow without access to funding, and South Africa needs its SMEs to grow. What needs to change in the middle? The frame for South Africa’s economic growth in 2026 is one of modest recovery. The National Treasury’s 2026 Budget Review projects real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of around 1.6%. The World Bank echoes these figures, at 1.4%, and expects growth to increase to 1.5% by 2027.