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 – Fuel levy relief buys time, but reforms build the future
Government’s fuel levy relief, costing R15bn, is enabled by SARS collecting R24.7bn above its R2tn revenue target, showing an improved fiscal position that allows tactical responses to global shocks. South African markets have weathered global selling pressure better than others, with reform momentum differentiating the country from emerging market peers facing the oil crisis. The investment conference demonstrated a commitment to irreversible reforms in the electricity, water and logistics sectors, with the R2tn investment target dependent on delivering real opportunities for private capital. Investment alone doesn’t matter – what counts is whether it reduces costs and expands capacity, enabling businesses to compete globally and hire workers to address unemployment. I am glad that government has heeded the call to soften the impact of the global oil price shock through temporary relief on the fuel price levy. This will cushion the blow to the economy of a precarious global situation that businesses are trying to manage. The fact that government was able to provide relief is a result of the hard work of repairing its finances and the structural improvements undertaken to boost economic performance. SARS announced on the same day that it had beaten its target in raising over R2tn […]
31/03/2026
OP-ED – Davos 2026: Opportunity for South Africa if we can rise to the challenge
*As first published by Sunday World At Davos last week Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney gave voice to what many have quietly understood for some time: the pleasant fiction of… continue reading
25/02/2026
MEDIA STATEMENT – BLSA welcomes credible 2026 Budget as growth returns, debt stabilises and reform momentum builds
BLSA congratulates Minister Godongwana on delivering a credible and pragmatic budget that tackles the country’s core challenges and reiterates the… continue reading
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… 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
