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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’s CEO Weekly Newsletter – Johannesburg is not poor. It is badly managed. That must change.
Last week the BLSA Council considered research on the state of Johannesburg. The findings were stark: a decade of political dysfunction has left the city with collapsed services, entrenched criminal syndicates and deteriorating revenue collection. Criminal syndicates are embedded in city procurement, budgeting and hiring. Until they are removed, no operational turnaround is possible. That is the Eskom lesson. Business has reached out to both the Gauteng Premier and the Johannesburg mayor offering support. Neither has responded. Tuesday’s planned protests reflect the demand for jobs and economic opportunities. But those can only come from growth – violence and property destruction undermine that. Last week the BLSA Council met to consider research on the state of Johannesburg, presented by Lael Bethlehem of Genesis Analytics. The findings were stark. For a decade, during which the city has cycled through eight mayors amid deep political dysfunction, service delivery has collapsed, criminal syndicates have become entrenched, and revenue collection has deteriorated. I was not surprised by the direction of the findings but I was struck by the scale of them. Recognising the growing challenges facing Johannesburg, I wrote to Premier Panyaza Lesufi to explore how organised business could support in addressing the challenges. Johannesburg […]
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 growing tensions and public debate surrounding migration and immigration in… 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
29/05/2026
NEW APPOINTMENT – BLSA welcomes its new Deputy Chairperson
BLSA is pleased to announce that the Board has formally appointed Mpumi Madisa, Group CEO of Bidvest, as its Deputy… continue reading
24/04/2026
Announcement of the new BLSA Board
BLSA is pleased to announce the appointment of the new Board of Directors, following the successful completion of the previous… continue reading
