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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 – The ITSO debate is over. It is time for implementation
President Ramaphosa’s endorsement of the Eskom Restructuring Task Team’s Phase 1 report provides the clearest vision yet for the independent transmission system operator, the foundation of a competitive electricity market. The report’s interim recommendations build the institutional muscle the ITSO will inherit and clear the path for the Sawem launch this quarter. Eskom must now align with the recommendations and approach the Phase 2 transaction report, due in three months, as a constructive participant. Bondholder complexity is real but not insurmountable. Municipal arrears to Eskom stand at over R114bn, the biggest threat to the utility’s sustainability. A consolidated action plan, coordinating all current interventions under one working group, is urgent. On Friday President Cyril Ramaphosa endorsed the first report of the Eskom Restructuring Task Team, and with it provided the clearest vision yet for the independent transmission system operator (ITSO). I welcome that endorsement unreservedly. BLSA has argued consistently, against resistance from Eskom itself, that an independent grid operator is the only way to build a truly competitive electricity market – one that treats all electricity generators equally, brings prices down over time and gives investors the certainty they need to commit capital. The President has now made that policy […]
23/07/2026
MEDIA STATEMENT – Completion index falls for first time as problems emerge with energy sector reforms
Johannesburg, 23 July 2026 – The fourth BLSA Reform Tracker Quarterly Review, covering April to June 2026, shows South Africa’s overall reform completion index fell to 71.5 from 71.7 in… continue reading
30/06/2026
PRESENTATION – Addressing the Crisis in Johannesburg – Data and Analysis
On 25 June BLSA hosted a Council Meeting where Lael Bethlehem, a partner at Genesis Analytics and former Director… continue reading
04/06/2026
BLSA AND BUSA JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT – South Africa’s Business Leaders Affirm the Rule of Law and Call for Calm and Co-Created African Solutions Amidst Migration and Immigration Challenges
JOHANNESBURG 5 June 2026 – Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and Business Leaders South Africa (BLSA) note with concern the… continue reading
03/06/2026
MEDIA STATEMENT – A call to rebuild Johannesburg: Business sets out its commitment to act
Johannesburg, South Africa, 4 June 2026 – Business is deeply committed to South Africa and believes strongly in its long-term… continue reading
