Local Sourcing Could Create 34,000 Jobs

Bridgestone SA MD Jacques Rikhotso warns that South Africa’s industrial foundations are eroding fast, with tire production falling sharply and imports surging past 10 million units. We explore what this means for jobs, competitiveness, and the urgent interventions needed to rebuild industrial resilience.

Prof. Siphamandla Zondi explains why the global rules-based order is collapsing—and how South Africa is being squeezed between BRICS+ ambitions and Western market dependence. We unpack foreign‑policy incoherence, localization strategy, EV transition risks, and what a future‑proof trade strategy should look like.

Economist Sello Sekele analyzes the Absa PMI’s rise to 52.6—the first expansion in seven months. We unpack front-loaded demand, weak exports, rising cost pressures, and why manufacturers remain hesitant to hire despite improving activity.

Coface Chief Africa Economist Aroni Chaudhuri explains why South Africa’s GDP per capita remains below 2007 levels and what this says about the country’s long‑term stagnation. We unpack liquidations, PPI data, energy stability, and how Middle East tensions could trigger an inflation shock for SA in the months ahead.

Old Mutual’s Financial Education Programme Manager, Thabo Hollo explains how global geopolitical tensions — from oil supply shocks to inflation risks — are silently eroding household budgets. He outlines the four steps consumers should take now to protect their financial wellbeing.