Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) is an independent association whose members include the leaders of some of South Africa’s biggest and most well-known businesses.
Through BLSA, South Africa’s business leaders engage key players in South African society, including government, civil society and labour, to exchange ideas in our national interest and to create effective dialogue.
By so doing, we contribute to building strong communities underpinned by job creation through sustained economic growth.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
BLSA CEO’s Weekly Newsletter – Fiscal discipline and rising infrastructure spend create a foundation for investment
The Budget demonstrates continued fiscal discipline with a third consecutive primary surplus, a stabilising debt-to-GDP ratio, and strong SARS revenue collection – reflecting improved public sector leadership quality and institutional recovery from the state capture era. Infrastructure spending shows a welcome recovery with R340bn allocated this year, reversing a decade-long decline from 10% to below 5% of GDP, whilst SOEs’ improved financial performance enables investment rather than requiring bailouts. A virtuous cycle of fiscal credibility leading to improved confidence and increased investment depends on execution. The R1tn infrastructure projection must translate into functional ports, reliable rail, and maintained municipal services, not half-built projects from poor contract management. Critical gaps remain: there is no strategy to address deindustrialisation from cheap imports devastating the automotive sector, limited detail on tackling illicit trade, and unclear next steps on the TSO financial framework – the budget addresses infrastructure but leaves manufacturing protection untouched. Last week’s budget delivered encouraging signals for business confidence and infrastructure investment. While not addressing every challenge we face, it demonstrated continued fiscal discipline and improving infrastructure spending that should help unlock the private sector investment South Africa desperately needs. The fiscal position is clearly on an improving trajectory. Government is […]
25/02/2026
MEDIA STATEMENT – BLSA welcomes credible 2026 Budget as growth returns, debt stabilises and reform momentum builds
BLSA congratulates Minister Godongwana on delivering a credible and pragmatic budget that tackles the country’s core challenges and reiterates the government’s commitment to structural reforms. This marks a sharp contrast… continue reading
12/02/2026
MEDIA STATEMENT – BLSA reacts to the State of the Nation Address
“We are stronger today than what we were a year ago”. That was the core message of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s… continue reading
05/02/2026
MEDIA STATEMENT – BLSA Reform Tracker Second Quarterly Review: South Africa’s Reform Programme Remains on Track Despite Electricity Setback
Overall reform score climbs nearly 24% since tracking began; momentum slows as reforms near completion but electricity sector reversal raises… continue reading
07/01/2026
MEDIA STATEMENT – BLSA welcomes the appointment of Adv Mothibi to the NPA
Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) welcomes the appointment of Advocate Jan Lekgoa Mothibi as the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) National… continue reading
