04/09/2025 | By Busiswe Mavuso
By Busisiwe Mavuso and Wrenelle Stander
*This article was first published by Business Day.
The difference between countries that grow and those that stall often comes down to one thing: reform. Vietnam’s logistics reforms halved port turnaround times, unlocking exports and turning the country into a global trade force. In Estonia, digital public services swept away bureaucracy and gave citizens fast, seamless access to government. Rwanda simplified regulation, making it one of Africa’s most attractive destinations for investment.
None of these changes were accidents. They were the product of political will, discipline and the determination to deliver.
Now, imagine a South Africa where the same is true. A South Africa where energy projects connect to the grid in months, not years. Where goods flow through ports and rail lines efficiently, cutting costs and boosting exports. Where a business licence is issued online in 48 hours. Where municipalities deliver services reliably and infrastructure matches the best in the world.
That future is possible. But it will only become reality if we stop measuring reform by intent, and start measuring it in terms of its effectiveness in delivering lasting outcomes. That is why Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), which has many of the country’s largest corporations and leading multinationals as members, launched the Reform Tracker this month. The Tracker measures whether reforms are actually being delivered. It monitors almost 240 commitments across three categories: economic reform, governance and criminal justice. Each reform is reviewed quarterly and scored as complete, on track, facing challenges or blocked.
For the first time, South Africa has an evidence-based picture of reform progress. The Tracker shows where momentum is building, where delays are occurring, and what needs to change to get reforms back on track.
The first results are telling. Twenty-six reforms have already been completed. Fifty-nine are making strong progress. A further 108 are on track but need more attention. At the same time, nineteen are facing serious obstacles, from stalled rail devolution to delayed energy projects.
This level of transparency is vital because clarity builds accountability and confidence among South Africans that our economic trajectory is positive. Now we have a clear, data-driven view of where we stand to facilitate this.
As Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said at the Cape Town launch event, co-hosted by Wesgro, the province’s official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency: “If you cannot measure, you cannot manage.”
The BLSA Reform Tracker embodies this principle. It gives government, business and civil society the ability to understand and manage reform with greater discipline, urgency and focus.
Connecting to Operation Vulindlela
The Tracker encompasses reforms across government departments, including government’s Operation Vulindlela, launched in 2020 to accelerate reforms in energy, logistics, telecommunications, water, and the visa system. Operation Vulindlela is a joint initiative between the Presidency and National Treasury, designed to act as a delivery engine that removes blockages and speeds up progress.
In May this year, Phase II was launched, adding priorities such as municipal reform, affordable housing and digital public services. It reflects a shift from planning to implementation.
Operation Vulindlela is particularly important because it is about unblocking the arteries of the economy. The Tracker provides the feedback loop to ensure reforms move from policy to practice. Put simply, government as the custodian of our collective democratic will, sets the agenda, while the Tracker shows whether delivery is happening. Together, they give South Africa the chance to shift from intention to impact.
Government cannot deliver reform on its own. Business has both a responsibility and a stake in making sure it succeeds. Companies must be prepared to invest when reforms open opportunities. They can bring expertise to unblock bottlenecks, from logistics to digital services. They can partner with government to deliver infrastructure and basic services. And organised business must continue to advocate for reforms that unlock growth.
We already see the value of partnership. In the Western Cape, Wesgro plays a connecting role between government and business, ensuring that reforms and investment opportunities align. When public and private institutions come together, reform efforts gain real momentum and impact, demonstrating that meaningful change is rarely achieved alone.
Civil society must hold us all accountable. When the three forces of government, business and citizens act together, we can achieve what other economies have already proven possible.
Confidence, Optimism and Growth
In the short term, commitment to reform can help to restore confidence. When businesses see government tackling obstacles, confidence grows. Confidence fuels investment, and investment drives growth and jobs. Without this cycle, growth remains elusive.
Load shedding, port congestion and inefficiency have already cost the country billions. Crime has increased the cost of doing business. These are not theoretical problems. They erode competitiveness every single day. Reform is the antidote. When businesses and individuals see progress, they start planning for the long term. They gain confidence to commit capital, scale operations, invest in innovation, and commit to the country for the long haul. Clear and reliable reform signals shift corporate decision-making, unlocking the investment flows our economy urgently needs.
The BLSA Reform Tracker is not a scoreboard. It is a system diagnostic. It identifies what is moving, where bottlenecks remain, and what must change to restore momentum. Globally, the most successful reforms share three traits: progress is tracked, delivery is owned, and outcomes are non-negotiable. The Tracker bridges the gap between ambition and action. It exposes inaction, signals urgency, and guides both government and business in removing blockages.
Importantly, it makes clear that reform is no longer optional. It is urgent. Every delay costs us jobs, confidence and competitiveness. But with discipline and collaboration we can make South Africa’s economy not only work but perform at its full potential.
We know reform works. We have seen it in around the world. It can work here. What matters now is not more debate, but decisive delivery.
Ends
Mavuso is CEO of Business Leadership South Africa.
Stander is Wesgro CEO.
