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Complex Coalitions and Crime Fighting Confusion
21 Nov 2023As South Africa ventures into an era of coalition politics, the significance of provincial and municipal powerbases is on the rise. The reported tensions between the provincial African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng and the party’s National Executive Committee regarding working arrangements with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) serve as an illustration. Last week’s remarks by Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, stating that a national minister’s "days are numbered," further emphasize this trend.
Read moreRethinking Risk Management
05 Oct 2023In a financial landscape fraught with uncertainties, businesses across South Africa are being confronted with a sobering reality: any reliance on government and municipal emergency services may no longer be a sustainable risk management strategy. Recent data from National Treasury paints a grim picture, urging companies to reassess their approach to resilience in the face of mounting economic challenges.
Read moreWorrying 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 moreDemand-Led Cleaning for Flexible Workspaces
01 Mar 2023The smooth running of flexible workspaces relies on many behind-the-scenes services, and the pandemic has brought office cleaning to the fore. In this article, James Soning, Account Director at Excellerate Services UK, explains the benefits of Demand-Led Cleaning for the flexible workspace sector.
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