While power shortages remain one of a number of challenges South African manufacturers are facing in 2015, there is a silver lining: solid demand and efforts to trim costs and boost operational efficiencies are expected to shore up earnings in certain segments. Challenging times Disruptions to power supplies due to load-shedding have been a drag on economic growth, with manufacturing in particular…
An increasing appetite for domestic content and a rising appreciation by foreign filmmakers of South Africa as a filming location should sustain growth in the country’s entertainment industry, with the sector’s expansion set to outpace that of the broader economy in the years ahead. South Africa’s film entertainment market is projected to grow by 6.4% this year, generating earnings of R2.76bn…
Africa Commercial and Corporate Security Summit 26-27 August 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa Africa's weakest link today, is its security. Protecting businesses from contemporary security threats like terrorism, cybercrime, employee dishonesty and other vices that hinder the survival and sustenance of business concerns in Africa remains a pressing concern. How many African nations are…
The Africa Property Investment (API) Summit is a leading commercial property event for discussion and networking centred around the growing real estate sector in Africa. This year’s API conference will be held on the 25th-26th August at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. The API Summit focuses on the opportunities created by the overwhelming and sustainable real estate…
South Africa’s retail sector has seen mixed fortunes in recent months with a slowdown in vehicle sales but more encouraging news in luxury goods. New passenger vehicle sales, which constitute just under two-thirds of overall automotive sales, fell by 4.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) in June, on top of a 5.4% y-o-y decline in May, according to the department of trade and industry. This was in addition to…
Improved competitiveness and significant government support have strengthened South Africa’s claim to be the leading sub-Saharan tourism destination, though new visa regulations and fallout from anti-immigrant protests could affect its appeal in the short term. In its latest global Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) report, the World Economic Forum (WEF) found that South Africa’s…
A decision expected later this year on a tender for the provision of a series of nuclear power stations in South Africa could provide a long-term solution to the country’s power shortfall. South Africa President Jacob Zuma has pledged to double the amount of electricity from nuclear by 2023. To date the government has carried out vendor “parade” workshops in which five countries, including the…
The arrival of a new budget airline in South Africa promises cheaper domestic fares for travellers, though the increased competition may put pressure on the low-cost carrier (LCC) segment given weak consumer spending. With Skywise taking to the air on March 5, the number of domestic LCCs operating in South Africa has risen to four. Other operators include South African Airways subsidiary, Mango, Comair’s…
South Africa’s mining industry has long been one of the economy’s most visible drivers, but uncertainty over legislation and a difficult operating environment are taking their toll. Changes in exogenous factors, alongside a still pending overhaul of the sector’s legislative framework, have impacted capital inflows in recent years, although there is hope that the new regulations will be finalised…
The Annual Smart Procurement World conference and exhibition is the ultimate procurement and supply chain conference in Africa and an opportunity for professional development and updates in supply chain management. Smart Procurement World is the ideal independent business generating event! The event not only unpacks the challenges of supply chain management, but also delivers a wealth of timely,…
