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 – As dust settles from Sona, the manufacturing crisis requires action
SONA delivered crucial clarity: the independent TSO will own and operate transmission assets and run the electricity market, resolving December’s policy confusion through direct government-business engagement. Manufacturing deindustrialisation received no attention despite factory closures across automotive and other industries due to low-cost imports and illicit trade. Urgent action needed: finalise new energy vehicle policy, deploy anti-dumping measures, review tariffs to protect local manufacturing, and intensify enforcement against illicit trade destroying legitimate markets. South Africa’s diplomatic network requires professionalisation focused on trade expertise rather than cadre deployment, with business-government partnership essential to identify markets and negotiate agreements serving industrialisation objectives. As the dust settles from Thursday night’s State of the Nation Address, attention must turn to the rapid implementation of what President Cyril Ramaphosa announced and to addressing what was left unsaid. There was much to welcome, as BLSA noted in our release after the speech. Most important was the clarity the president brought to the future of our electricity transmission system. The independent Transmission System Operator will own and operate transmission assets and run the electricity market. This resolves the policy confusion that emerged in mid-December when the Minister of Electricity and Energy published an unbundling strategy proposing that transmission […]
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 state-of-the-nation address, and BLSA agrees that there is much to… 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
12/11/2025
Media statement – Fiscal discipline pays off: SA’s debt trajectory offers hope for ratings upgrade
“This is the first time since the 2008 financial crisis that public debt will not grow as a percentage of… continue reading
