Tag: SouthAfricaEconomy

South Africa is entering what I call a leadership blackout, a slow but unmistakable dimming of the leadership pipeline that many organisations have not yet fully acknowledged. What makes this moment so unusual is that the crisis is not being driven by a lack of talent. It is being driven by a lack of desire.

Rising unemployment, growing labour underutilisation and deepening skills mismatches continue to expose a widening disconnect between available jobs and workplace-ready talent in South Africa. As a result, the unemployment crisis is no longer only about job scarcity. It now also reflects serious workforce-readiness challenges.

Two remarkable economic turnarounds demonstrate what becomes possible when countries support the right sectors, develop relevant skills and strengthen cooperation between government and business. We exist to create genuine and lasting economic opportunities for young South Africans. We constantly evaluate where we invest, what we support and why those decisions matter.

As we enter the second quarter of 2026, South Africa’s economy faces a critical test. SA’s hard-won recovery now confronts significant pressure. A global energy shock has triggered a sharp rise in living costs. Fuel prices continue to surge. Consequently, logistics-driven inflation now affects the entire consumer landscape.

April’s Financial Literacy Month provides an opportunity to reflect on progress. It also highlights where the next phase of financial inclusion must focus. While access remains foundational, the real challenge lies in outcomes. Specifically, credit must deliver sustainable and positive results for consumers. Over the past decade, South Africa has expanded access to financial services. This progress has strengthened financial inclusion across the country.

When you stand at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) to discuss transformation, something clarifies. Not because the room is clever, although it often is. Instead, the building reflects the behaviour of markets. Capital gets priced there every day. Narratives do not move tickers; performance does. When performance disappoints, the market responds immediately. It marks you down and moves on.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) recently surpassed R2 trillion in net revenue collection for the 2025/26 fiscal year. This milestone marks the highest revenue collected in the country’s democratic era. It also highlights SARS’s commitment to effective tax administration. In particular, SARS continues to enforce sanctions for non-compliance through SARS’ targeted compliance programmes. Despite several challenges, SARS has maintained strong performance.

For years, a familiar narrative has shaped our understanding of South African consumers. It suggests they are over-indebted, under-saving and prone to conspicuous consumption. Statistics often reinforce this view. These include low household savings rates, rising unsecured lending and high levels of personal debt. On the surface, the conclusion seems obvious. However, it remains incomplete.

Escalating geopolitical tensions are reshaping global energy dynamics, and fuel rationing looms as both a local and international concern. The discussion in the video below centres on the growing risk of fuel instability in South Africa, set against a rapidly shifting global oil landscape influenced by conflict in the Middle East and changing policy decisions around Iran’s oil exports.

Hospitality has always welcomed guests effectively. However, an important question remains. Are we equally good at welcoming young people into lasting, meaningful careers? South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis is well-documented. Hospitality should play a stronger role in changing that story. The sector can offer first jobs, skills, confidence and exposure to the world.