BLSA

Bulletin

BLSA Bulletin   |  18th Edition  

Introduction

The final quarter of 2025 was a period of progress, collaboration, and cautious optimism for South Africa’s private sector. I am immensely proud of our collective efforts, and of BLSA’s important role  in shaping the national agenda, advancing reforms, and amplifying the voice of business at home and abroad.

The historic assumption of the Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) and the Business 20 (B20) culminating in the successful hosting of the respective summits, has underscored our nation’s leadership and the unique opportunity for the private sector to influence policy and foster international partnerships.  It has not only been an excellent showcase for South Africa but also enabled us to advance an African agenda with key economies across the globe. I’m pleased that as business, working with our counterparts across the world, we were able to table recommendations that have really engaged world leaders.

Working in partnership with BUSA, BLSA and its members played a pivotal role in the success of the B20, is an achievement of which we can all be proud.

BLSA’s leadership has been evident across several strategic initiatives during this quarter. Our international engagement has solidified South Africa’s reputation as a proactive and solution-oriented partner. We have ramped up our media presence, ensuring that the perspectives of the private sector are clearly articulated and widely heard. In my public commentary, I have consistently emphasized the importance of business as a stabilizing and progressive force in our society. As I have shared with the media, “Business is not a spectator in South Africa’s future. We are participants and partners in shaping outcomes.”

On the policy and reform front, BLSA has continued to drive impactful change through several key projects. The Reform Tracker, launched in August, is now a cornerstone for monitoring and evaluating progress on close to 240 reform deliverables across criminal justice, governance, and economic categories. The extensive media coverage and positive reception from both government and business leaders signal the importance of this work in creating a more efficient and equitable economy.

BLSA’s Sovereign Ratings project, a timely piece of research aimed at promoting a balanced perspective on South Africa’s fiscal and growth prospects from the ‘’big 3”credit ratings agencies, was made available to members and stakeholders to help shape and amplify the narrative. Our engagement with international media, including a feature on BBC News, has highlighted South Africa’s strengths and opportunities.

BLSA’s commitment to initiatives that promote growth and investment has been evident in our ongoing support for Operation Vulindlela, now in its second phase. This initiative is vital for implementing reforms in electricity, logistics, water security, visas, and digital transformation. We have pledged continued support through December 2026, reflecting our belief in the power of collaboration to unlock South Africa’s potential.

Despite the challenges inherent in our environment, the last quarter’s achievements stand as testament to the resilience, resourcefulness, and commitment of BLSA and its members.

Looking ahead, I urge all members to remain engaged and proactive. The coming year will bring new opportunities and challenges, but with the strength of our collective action, we are well-positioned to continue making a positive impact. Let us move forward with confidence, united in our vision to make South Africa good for business and business good for South Africa.

Sincerely

Busisiwe Mavuso

CEO, Business Leadership South Africa

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Strategy and Reforms Update

BLSA/BUSA programmes

B20

On 1 December 2024, South Africa made history by assuming the Presidency of both the Group of 20 (G20) and the Business 20 (B20), the business initiative that connects with the G20. BLSA and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) co-chaired B20 South Africa 2025, with BLSA chairman Nonkululeko Nyembezi and BUSA president Mxolisi Mgojo serving as B20 co-chairs. 

In the months that followed, remarkable progress was achieved, culminating in the successful handover of B20’s eight recommendations to the American Chamber of Business on the final day of the B20 Summit, held in Johannesburg from 18-20 November and attended by hundreds of stakeholders from across the globe.

Sovereign Ratings project

BLSA commissioned research aimed at encouraging a balanced view of South Africa’s fiscal and growth prospects from the “big 3” credit ratings agencies, thereby encouraging potential upgrades, lower borrowing costs, and improved investor sentiment. The research was made available to BLSA members and other important stakeholders to assist in strengthening the country’s narrative. BLSA was able to discuss South Africa’s Sovereign credit ratings issue briefly on BBC News, which has millions of viewers.

US/SA Relations Strategic Intervention

During 2025, Business contributed to the improved relations between the US and SA Inc. BLSA, together with other business leaders, vigorously advocated and lobbied for better trade relations between South Africa and the United States.

Retain BLSA’s position as the voice of Business

BLSA aims to educate, inform, amplify and influence, with the intention of ensuring that the private sector’s position on critical issues is well articulated, and specifically to retain BLSA’s position as an apex business structure and the South African voice of business. During 2025, BLSA ramped up its national and international media presence, solidifying its relationships with local media houses and with some of the world’s leading media houses, including CNN, BBC, Financial Times, Bloomberg, Daily Mail, Associated Press, The Independent, and several other international media outlets.

Structural Reforms

Operation Vulindlela Support

In line with BLSA’s dedication to making South Africa good for business and business good for South Africa, the organisation has been supporting Operation Vulindlela (OV) since Phase 1 and continues to do so during Phase 2, launched on 7 May 2025 by President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

This joint initiative between the Presidency and National Treasury aims to follow through on the existing reforms from Phase 1, which include transforming the electricity sector, creating a world-class logistics system, ensuring a secure and reliable supply of water, reforming the visa system, and expanding its focus into digital transformation, spatial inequality, and local government. OV has requested support from BLSA for an additional 24 months. BLSA is committed to supporting OV till December 2026 and will review its support for 2027.

NLCC Support

In August, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy allocated rail slots to 11 new train operating companies across 41 routes, as recommended by the business-government collaboration via the National Logistics Crisis Committee. 

The Transport and Freight Logistics Reform Roadmap was announced in October 2025 – targets include 250 million tons of freight on Transnet’s network by 2029 and 30 crane moves/hour at ports; the PRASA corridor revival and confirmation of the R66.1 billion rail investment.

NECOM Support

BLSA continues to support the work NECOM is doing with the objective of stabilising SA’s electricity provision over the short to medium term, and longer-term foundation-building for a competitive and reliable electricity sector.

B4SA Youth Employment

BLSA continues to support B4SA’s Youth Employment initiative. During the time of review, BLSA hosted two workshops with Human Resource executives to better understand why their businesses hire youth and the opportunities and challenges they face with hiring youth. The retail sector was selected due to its being the sector with the most youth hires.

Ramp-Up of Department of Home Affairs Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) and Electronic Travel Authorisation rollout

The scheme intends to streamline visa processing for companies employing foreign skilled nationals with reduced requirements for work visa applications and improved processing times. From 2025 to 2027, BLSA aims to increase the number of Trusted Employer Scheme beneficiaries and lower the friction of necessary skills and personnel.

Economic Policy

Key Policy Movements

Revised Transformation Fund Concept Document

In September, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) invited inputs from BLSA and BUSA on the Revised Transformation Fund Concept Document. The revised draft incorporated several recommendations made in BLSA’s May 2025 submission. To facilitate meaningful engagement, BLSA convened a workshop with the Department and member companies, and subsequently submitted its formal response on 7 October 2025, which was acknowledged.

The revised concept document introduced a platform-based model anchored on five pillars – Capital, Capability, Market Access, Telemetry and Governance. Notable improvements included:

  • Governance and oversight: Establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) governance structure with multi-stakeholder representation, public dashboards, and skills-based board criteria
  • Voluntary participation: Preservation of voluntarism and recognition pathways for existing Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) and Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) initiatives
  • Institutional integration: Mechanisms to avoid duplication with the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), and Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP)
  • Performance and accountability: Introduction of a Transformation Index, real-time telemetry for performance-linked disbursement, Buyer Councils for enhanced market access, and safeguards for data protection and competition compliance

BLSA’s submission welcomed these enhancements and proposed further refinements to strengthen implementation and execution capacity, including:

  • Publication of a comprehensive governance charter and establishment of an independent Ethics Panel
  • Codification of voluntarism in enabling legislation to safeguard corporate autonomy in ESD initiatives
  • Development of national interoperability standards for telemetry and capability data
  • Recognition of non-monetary contributions through a Capability Contribution Index
  • Adoption of a Technology Risk Register and a Digital Inclusion Strategy to address implementation risks
  • Establishment of a National Business Development Services (BDS) Accreditation Framework and market access performance indicators
  • Definition of a Minimum Viable Fund threshold and adoption of cost-to-impact benchmarks to ensure efficiency
  • Early engagement with the South African Revenue Service, the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commission, and the Competition Commission to ensure regulatory alignment and clarity.

BLSA supports the ambition of the Transformation Fund and acknowledges the progress reflected in the revised concept. However, systemic risks and execution challenges remain. The success of the initiative will depend on transparent governance, measurable outcomes, viable funding models and sustained collaboration between government and the private sector to deliver an effective and credible instrument for inclusive economic transformation.

Omnibus Bill: BLSA Submission

In October 2025, the dtic invited BLSA to submit recommendations for inclusion in the forthcoming Omnibus Bill, intended to identify legislative reforms that enhance investment, competitiveness, job creation and inclusive growth. BLSA’s submission welcomed the initiative as a proactive measure to reduce red tape, improve the ease of doing business, and modernise South Africa’s regulatory framework. The proposals focused on four priority reform areas:

  • Corporate and Investment Reform: Support for the Companies Amendment Acts (2024) as key modernising measures to improve efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness. BLSA recommended refining the framework by consolidating beneficial ownership rules, reviewing the two-strikes remuneration rule, codifying Section 45(2A) to ease intragroup financing, and mandating a statutory review of Companies Regulations to avoid fragmented implementation.
  • Competition Policy Modernisation: Called for an update of the Competition Commission’s merger thresholds to reflect current economic conditions (R900 m and R150 m for intermediate mergers; R10 bn and R300 m for large mergers) and for reform of public-interest tests to ensure predictability, balance socio-economic goals with investment confidence, and streamline approvals.
  • Credit Regulation Reform: Recommended modernising the National Credit Act by reinstating the withdrawn NCA Amendment Regulations, excluding student-lending provisions to expand MSME access to credit. The submission advocates for tech-enabled credit assessments and frameworks that support inclusive, growth-oriented lending models.
  • Transformation and Employment Equity Frameworks: Proposed shifting B-BBEE from input-based spending targets to outcome-based metrics that measure real impact such as SME growth and job creation. BLSA also recommended raising SME thresholds (QSE: R100 m; EME: R20 m) and simplifying Employment Equity compliance by introducing medium-term reporting cycles to reduce administrative burdens.

BLSA emphasised that adopting these proposals through the Omnibus Bill will restore investor confidence, streamline the regulatory environment and signal South Africa’s commitment to pragmatic, inclusive transformation.

2025 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (TLAB) – Section 8E Proposal Withdrawn

National Treasury and SARS released the 2025 Draft TLAB for public comment, covering several technical amendments across income tax, VAT and carbon tax. The most material issue for business was the proposed overhaul of section 8E (hybrid equity instruments), which sought to align tax treatment with IFRS classification and would have recharacterised many preference-share dividends as taxable income without allowing issuer deductions. This raised major concerns for members across BEE financing, infrastructure, renewable energy, banking capital instruments, private equity and M&A transactions, given the potential to destabilise funding structures, increase tax liabilities. As drafted, the changes would have applied to years of assessment commencing on or after 1 January 2026.

 

Following significant pushback from industry, including detailed submissions calling for complete withdrawal or at a minimum transitional relief, National Treasury has now formally retracted the section 8E amendment. Treasury noted that the proposal’s broad wording risked eliminating preference shares as a viable financing tool and creating uncertainty for ongoing transactions. Treasury confirmed that any future reforms to the hybrid-instruments regime will follow a fully consultative process before draft legislation is published (media statement dated 3 September 2025).

The remainder of the draft TLAB proposals, including changes to assessed-loss ring-fencing thresholds, VAT treatment of exported airtime vouchers, foreign retirement benefits, asset-for-share rules, low-value imports, and phase 2 carbon-tax adjustments aligned with the carbon budget system remain under consideration.



Illicit Trade and Counterfeit Economy Taskforce Update

BLSA was approached by one of the members to assist in rallying support from companies and organisations in industries negatively affected by illicit trading and counterfeit products. After several engagements with affected industry associations, BLSA joined forces with the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) which had kicked off a detailed structured initiative aimed at combating illicit trading.

CGCSA convened the Illicit Economy Multi-Task Force to address the growing challenge of illicit trade and counterfeiting across high-risk Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sectors. This initiative is designed to safeguard legitimate trade, protect fiscal revenues and restore consumer trust. In parallel, the NEDLAC Customs Fraud and Illegal Imports (CFII) Task Team has been revived to provide an institutional platform for policy and enforcement reforms. BLSA participates in the CGCSA industry task force and stays informed on the CFFI Task Team force’s developments through BUSA’s Trade, Transport and Logistics committee. This enables us to monitor progress and contribute inputs where appropriate.

This matter has far-reaching implications for the economy, including tax revenue losses, weakened enforcement capacity and risks to supply chain integrity and is of key concern to affected members.

 

World Trade Organisation (WTO) E-Commerce Moratorium: Trade in Services Workshop

BLSA in partnership with BUSA and the dtic hosted a high-level dialogue with members on 26 -27 August 2025 regarding the WTO moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions, set to expire at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (March 2026). Key stakeholders were South Africa’s WTO Mission (Ambassador Mzukisi Qobo), global bodies (OECD, ICC, ASR), and local leaders in ICT, e-commerce, BPO, and creative sectors.

Implications of the WTO moratorium expiry

  • Customs duties would be imposed on all digital transmissions, raising costs for software, e-learning, and cloud services.
  • Business faces higher operational and compliance costs;
  • Government would encounter administrative complexity;
  • Society would bear increased digital access costs, hitting SMMEs and women-owned firms hardest.
  • GDP losses would far exceed any tariff revenue gains, undermining competitiveness and innovation.

Retention of the moratorium is critical to safeguard affordability, inclusion, and export growth.

The dialogue also aligned with the outcomes of the B20 Trade and Investment Roundtable on WTO Reform, convened on 17 September 2025 by the South African Permanent Mission to the WTO, the B20 Trade and Investment Task Force and the Think 20 (T20) Secretariat. That roundtable highlighted the importance of predictable and inclusive digital trade rules, small enterprise participation, and digital trade corridors to strengthen Africa’s integration into global value chains.

Social Policy

Employment Equity Sectoral Targets Update

Since the previous BLSA Bulletin, BUSA has formally launched litigation against the Department of Employment and Labour on the substantive and procedural issues of the Employment Equity Sector Targets as published in April 2025. While business does not, in principle, object to the provisions of Section 15A, we remain concerned about the irregularities that occurred in formulating the final sectoral targets for 2025 as well as the lack of pragmatic and viable sector targets.

Substantive Concerns

  • Premature consultations: Although public comments were invited on the 2023 and 2024 Draft Regulations, the Minister did not yet have the legal authority to do so, as the Employment Equity Amendment Act had not come into effect. Therefore, any consultation processes or notices issued before 1 January 2025 were premature and beyond the Minister’s legal powers.
  • Subsectors overlooked: There is limited alignment between the published sector targets and the actual workforce profiles of the diverse sub-sectors within the broader industry. Applying a single sectoral target to an entire sector despite their varied sub-sectors is neither rational nor viable. Therefore, despite the Minister having the power to identify and target subsectors accordingly, she has failed to do so. On public comments, there were numerous legitimate concerns around this, including that there has been no engagement to look at subsectors.
  • Substantial structural challenges: The proposed targets require significant annual increases in representation, especially at senior levels. However, achieving these targets faces several substantial structural challenges. Notably, they are being introduced during a period of constrained economic growth and a challenging labour market, which further impedes their feasibility.
  • Lack of empirical data and questionable methodology: The Minister has set sector targets without adequate reliance on empirical or statistical data.
  • Contradictions to sections of EEA – The Employment Equity Regulations, 2025 contradict section 20(2)(e) of the EEA, which clearly stipulates that a plan must have a duration of no less than one year and no more than five years.

Procedural Concerns

  • Non-compliance with statutory consultation requirements: DEL did not adhere to Section 15A(2) and (4) of the Amendment Act, which mandates a minimum 30-day public comment period following publication of draft sector targets in the Government Gazette.
  • Inadequate notice periods for stakeholder Input: Several sectors were afforded insufficient time, sometimes as little as five working days, to submit written representations, undermining meaningful participation. The consultation process failed to comply with the requirements of fair administrative procedures, including adequate notice and a reasonable period for comment.
  • Procedural unfairness undermines legality: The DEL’s failure to publish revised targets and allow sufficient time for public input may render the process procedurally unfair and legally deficient.

BUSA seeks to have the Regulations and Determination reviewed and set aside on these grounds. Preparatory work is underway, and a court date is yet to be confirmed. BLSA continues to monitor developments closely, as the outcome has significant implications for members, particularly regarding compliance requirements linked to the Employment Equity Compliance Certificate, which is a prerequisite for access to state contracts.

Review of 1998 White Paper on Local Government

The Department of Cooperative Governance invited stakeholder inputs on the draft White Paper on Local Government. BLSA prepared a comprehensive response, summarised below:

  • We welcomed the White Paper’s ambition to strengthen ethical governance, professionalise municipal leadership, introduce performance-based funding, and expand public–private partnerships;
  • We commended innovations such as the R 54 billion Metro Trading Services Incentive Component and supporting legislative proposals, while cautioning that systemic risks such as poor audit outcomes, fiscal fragility, and uneven capacity between metros and smaller municipalities could undermine equitable reform outcomes.
  • To address these challenges, we recommended embedded technical support for municipalities, transparent and differentiated funding models, phased implementation with visible early wins, and stronger oversight through digital procurement and performance-linked grants.
  • We also called for inclusive strategies for rural and disadvantaged areas, alongside community–business engagement to rebuild trust.
  • We reaffirmed our commitment to supporting implementation through NEDLAC and collaborative partnerships aimed at accelerating delivery and ensuring reforms translate into tangible service improvements.

Energy and Environment

Gas Supply Crisis – Continuing Risk

The looming gas supply cliff remains a critical concern previously highlighted by Business. South Africa faces a sharp decline in natural gas imports from Mozambique within the next few years, threatening energy security and industrial continuity. This shortage could impact up to 100,000 jobs and reduce GDP by as much as 5%, with knock‑on effects across logistics, agriculture, and construction. Despite repeated warnings, there is still no clear political sponsorship, no fiscal framework to support Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure, and key projects such as Richards Bay LNG remain delayed. Coordination of gas demand with power generation is unresolved, and environmental litigation continues to derail long‑term ambitions.

Sasol recently announced that it is extending a lifeline to South Africa’s gas market by continuing supply from its Secunda operations until 2030. The company says it can delay the gas cliff through a temporary supply of Methane Rich Gas (MRG), bridging the gap from mid‑2028 to mid‑2030 as imports from Mozambique decline, thereby buying time until LNG becomes available. The plan requires NERSA’s approval of Sasol’s maximum gas price application before proceeding. Given methane’s far greater potency than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, climate activists are expected to contest the proposal. This underscores the urgency for decisive and balanced action to secure a sustainable solution before the cliff hits in 2028. On 12 November 2025, the Industrial Gas Users Association of South Africa published a roadmap calling for Presidency‑led intervention to avert the gas cliff, underscoring the urgency of decisive leadership and coordinated action.

Draft Integrated Resource Plan (“IRP”) 2025

The Department of Electricity and Energy (DFFE) gazetted the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 on 28 October, following a year-long process since the 2024 draft. The final version reflects minimal changes, raising questions about the extended timeline for finalisation. Gas to power and new nuclear capacity feature prominently, while renewables and storage continue to be included but without significant acceleration compared to prior drafts. Although the IRP outlines potential capacity additions, actual implementation will depend on procurement programmes and market conditions. Analysts caution that the plan’s emphasis on nuclear and gas may divert attention from scalable near-term solutions such as renewables, storage, and coal flexibility, and large projects are unlikely to materialise within the stated timelines, creating uncertainty for planning and investment.

Independent experts, including the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), the National Planning Commission (NPC) and National Treasury (NT) have consistently identified green industrialisation, driven by renewables, storage and efficiency, as South Africa’s least cost pathway to net zero. Their findings highlight a divergence between the IRP’s emphasis on nuclear and gas technologies and the broader expert consensus that renewables, storage and efficiency represent the most cost effective, scalable, and resilient approach to meeting climate commitments while supporting industrial competitiveness. This contrast underscores potential risks for South Africa’s energy transition and signals stronger investor pressure to align with least cost, climate resilient pathways.

Carbon Budget Regulations

In August 2025, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) published the Draft National Greenhouse Gas Carbon Budget and Mitigation Plan Regulations and the Draft Technical Guidelines under the Climate Change Act, 2024. These instruments introduce South Africa’s first mandatory carbon-budgeting system, requiring affected companies to register, calculate a carbon budget, prepare a mitigation plan, and report annually from the first commitment period beginning 1 January 2026. The formal public comment period ran from 1 August to 30 September 2025.

 

The Regulations create binding obligations for identified corporate “data providers,” including:

  • Carbon budget allocation for each sector and reporting period;
  • Mitigation plan requirements, outlining reduction measures, baselines, and timelines;
  • Reporting and verification protocols, including independent validation; and
  • Enforcement provisions, including offences and penalties for non-compliance.

The Technical Guidelines provide a practical “how-to” framework, detailing:

  • Methodologies for allocating carbon budgets (top-down approaches using product-level emission benchmarks, mitigation potential analysis, or fixed-percentage reductions);
  • Step-by-step templates for registration, monitoring, and reporting;
  • Validation and verification procedures; and
  • Guidance for preparing board-approved mitigation plans, covering baselines, emission sources, and quantification methods.

The draft regulations capture a broad range of carbon-intensive sectors, including coal mining, oil and gas production, electricity generation from fossil fuels, cement, glass and other non-metallic minerals, food and beverage manufacturing, and general mining and quarrying. Thresholds ensure only significant emitters are regulated, and coverage extends beyond carbon dioxide to include methane, nitrous oxide, and certain fluorinated gases.

Following the close of the public comment period, DFFE has begun targeted consultations with stakeholders that submitted written comments, including business and industry representatives, with  BLSA attending through BUSA subcommittees. These engagements aim to clarify technical feedback, refine methodologies, and test the practicality of reporting and mitigation requirements before finalising the Regulations and Technical Guidelines.

 

PR & Communication

Overview

BLSA’s media and social media performance experienced a notable decline primarily due to reduced activity levels over the festive season. However, from 10 January, when BLSA resumed content production, there was a noticeable spike in readership and impressions. This indicates that media houses and our followers across various platforms find significant value in the content we produce.

Media Exposure

BLSA media coverage had a potential reach of 249 million readers, viewers, and listeners, marking a 78% decrease compared to the previous period.

BLSA’s performance from November 2024 to February 2025 was slightly lower than the same period in the previous year. During the previous reporting period (26 June to 4 November 2024), BLSA performed well due to commentary on the outcomes of national elections, the Government of National Unity, and the business-government partnership. Despite the quiet period over the festive season, BLSA managed to secure over a third of  the media mentions it received in the previous period, confirming our recognition as  the prominent “voice of business”.

BLSA continues to lead its peer group in global media reach, holding a 40% share of voice (an 8% decrease from the previous period) and a 37% share of voice in terms of global media volumes (a 6% increase ).

BLSA’s net tonality improved by 24 points, with BLSA content reflecting a  neutral stance overall. This reflects the ongoing positive tone of BLSA’s editorial content throughout the period.

Social Media Exposure

BLSA’s social media performance saw a significant decline during the period, mainly due to reduced activity levels over the festive season. Social exposure dropped by 72%.

This dip in performance is expected during the festive season. The decrease in impressions for Facebook and X can also be attributed to the lack of promoted content during this period. Twitter accounted for 69% of social volume, followed by Facebook with a 15% share.

CEO’s Weekly Newsletter

The CEO’s Weekly Newsletter is disseminated via Mailchimp to the public and media. During the period of review, the newsletter had a 27% average open rate, compared to a 10.5%  open rate across all industries was 10.5%. The subscriber base remained stable during the period, with the number of CEO Newsletter recipients increasing to 1,932, reflecting a net gain of five recipients.  

The newsletter titled “Ministers and Business Leaders Deliver a Positive Message at Davos” (27 January 2025) was the top performer, achieving 610 opens and 82 clicks. 

Conclusion

As we reflect on the start of 2025, it’s clear that we kicked off the year on a high note. The positive sentiment at the World Economic Forum regarding Team South Africa have set a promising tone for the months ahead. The successful launch of the B20 has further solidified our position on the global stage, showcasing our commitment to economic growth and collaboration. President Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address was well-received, highlighting key achievements and setting a clear vision for the future.

While the cancellation of the budget speech was disappointing, it also spoke volumes about the critical voices and views of the GNU parties. The parliamentary processes are becoming more and more transparent because of the coalition government. We eagerly await the outcome of the approved Budget 2.0 and the extent to which these will enable economic growth and the creation of jobs. Here’s to a year of continued success and unity!