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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 – Reform is moving faster than business confidence
Last week brought multiple positive reform signals, but business confidence fell to 38 in Q3, well below the 47 recorded in the first quarter. Reform is moving, but the economy is not yet feeling it. The most significant positive signal is that Treasury issued an RFP for Eskom transmission unbundling advisors. BLSA and Eskom agreed on a joint statement backing the electricity reform programme. The rail network statement will be published by the end of September, after significant input on the draft version. A two-year AGOA extension is welcome but too short to shift investment. South Africa still needs a coherent, long-term trade strategy. Last week gave us plenty of signs that reform is moving forward, but business confidence is far behind. That gap reflects the path we still must follow to turn reform into a real improvement in the operating environment. National Treasury, through the Development Bank of Southern Africa, has issued a call for proposals for advisors on the unbundling of Eskom’s transmission assets into an independent transmission system operator (ITSO). This is a significant step. The transaction is complex – it will require the approval of Eskom’s lenders – but such restructurings have been successfully concluded […]
30/08/2026
Joint Media Statement by Business Leadership South Africa and Eskom
Johannesburg, 31 August 2026 – Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) and Eskom recently held a direct and constructive engagement, initiated by the Eskom Chair, on the electricity reform programme and… continue reading
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… 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
