Worrying Surge in Truck Torching
18 Jul 2023Last week the perennial problem of truck torching on major routes returned. What started with six trucks being set alight at Van Reenen’s Pass in KwaZulu-Natal in the early hours of Sunday, 9 July, ended with a total of 21 trucks torched — other incidents occurred in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. According to the police, most of the trucks were transporting coal and chrome.
Read moreSAPS: A Case For Devolution?
14 Jun 2023Violent crime continues its unimpeded rise, with the number of murders in the first three months of 2023 increasing by 3.4% compared to the same period in 2022. The latest crime figures, covering reported crimes committed between January and March, show that 6 289 murders were committed — equating to 70 killings per day on average. Despite a rise in the national murder rate, the Free State, the Northern Cape, and the Western Cape experienced declines.
Read moreSouth Africa's Current Electricity Situation
30 May 2023Topline summary: We consider a grid collapse to be a very low likelihood event, but nonetheless one deserving of management attention and preparation because of its significant impact should it occur. Despite the low probability of a blackout occurring, we nonetheless advise clients to put measures in place to protect their staff, operations, and equipment. Should it occur, there would be very little advance warning
Read moreYet Another "National Shutdown" Threat!?
19 Apr 2023The country’s struggling businesses and consumers could be forced to deal with yet another shock if reports warning of a national shutdown by truck drivers on 30 April should prove correct. Discontented local drivers have repeatedly voiced their frustrations with the government over the employment of foreigners in the profession. As a result of failing trade infrastructure, especially the country’s railway networks, businesses have increasingly been forced to rely on road freight to move materials and goods.
Read moreUncertainty And Volatility Rising
05 Apr 2023Globally, events such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, higher inflation, rising tension between the United States (U.S.) and China, and recently, turmoil at notable financial institutions such as Silicon Valley Bank and Credit Suisse, have combined to increase uncertainty around the macroeconomic and growth picture. For South Africa specifically, the Index cites industrial action, low growth, violent crime, corruption, the greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force, delayed reforms, and most pressingly, the energy crisis.
Read moreNational Shutdown 20 March 2023
10 Mar 2023The consensus amongst analysts is that there is still a high degree of political posturing and jostling and confusion amongst the various players (labour unions, taxi associations etc.) on whether or not to participate in the protest. Media reports change almost daily, serving only to exacerbate the confusion. It is anticipated that only as we get closer to the planned event will there be more clarity on expected numbers of participants.
Read moreTwo Sides of the Copper Coin
01 Mar 2023Copper prices have surged by almost 33% since mid-2022, driven by the anticipation of a demand revival in China, with 1-month futures trading at slightly above $9,000 per tonne. The supply of copper is constrained by instability and insufficient transport infrastructure and safety in significant copper-producing countries like Mongolia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Peru, which supplies 10% of the world's copper, has been hit by an upsurge in protests this year.
Read moreThe Excellerate Executive Brief
10 Feb 2023The need for access to credible information became acutely obvious during the numerous civil unrests and pandemics to which we have been exposed over the past few years. In response to this need, Excellerate Services has partnered with various local and international research and intelligence organisations. We believe that receiving reliable intel in advance, affords Excellerate the best opportunity to mitigate risk and support our clients - forewarned is after all forearmed. With this is mind we have made the decision to share this intelligence with our clients as we receive it.
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