Global Scans · South Africa · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Local elections in South Africa this year could see the ruling African National Congress lose control of key cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria for the first time. South Africa's economy is at risk of falling into recession and public confidence in the ANC is falling.

• [New] South Africa's formal pork value chain is beset by a range of major challenges that are anticipated to impact supply for at least the next 15 to 17 weeks. African farming
• [New] In South Africa, fiber and FWA are expanding rapidly, with fixed subscriptions set to grow at an 8.1% CAGR to 13.1 million by 2029. PwC
• [New] Already, the South African Weather Service has issued warnings and advisories for severe thunderstorms through the first half of this week with a risk of excessive lightning, gusty winds, and hail. The Guardian
• [New] Mining exploration in South Africa requires immediate coordinated intervention to address systemic challenges threatening long-term economic stability. Discovery Alert
• [New] An Early Harvest Agreement eliminating Chinese tariffs on South African exports is expected by end of March. The Rio Times
• [New] South Africa's dependence on mineral exports creates systemic economic risk without robust exploration pipelines. Discovery Alert
• [New] South Africa's mineral wealth remains substantial, yet systematic barriers prevent effective exploration campaigns from reaching their potential. Discovery Alert
• [New] The key catalyst for a new rally would be the continuation of supply disruptions in South Africa, which represents roughly 70% of global output, or a resurgence in investment demand. Ainvest
• [New] South African production, which represents roughly 70% of global output, remains constrained by chronic underinvestment and operational disruptions. Ainvest
• Of significance, its key Waterberg project in South Africa - with a measured and indicated resource of 33.8 million ounces and projected annual production of 350,000 ounces of platinum, palladium, gold, and rhodium - is being advanced, with an updated feasibility study recently released. (02/05/26) Top Pick 2026: Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (P
• Rapid growth in data centers across South Africa and Kenya, expected to consume over 21 TWh by 2030, reinforces demand visibility, while highlighting challenges around grid capacity, project bankability, and policy stability. Passle
• Nuclear development in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa's planned 10 GW expansion further diversifies the energy opportunity set, though it carries execution and regulatory risks. Passle
• The halo effect is expected to boost MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) arrivals throughout 2026. / South Africa KLEBER GROUP
• Increasing awareness about the vaccination against the human papillomavirus which can significantly lower the risk of cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers affecting South African women. WorkCare Wellness Centralised Site
• Strategy: Call spreads are recommended, likely favoring Platinum due to the supply risk in South Africa and Russia. Quantlabs
• South Africa will chair the G20 in 2025 and the next WTO Ministerial Conference, in 2026, will be held in Cameroon, creating opportunities for close cooperation on WTO reform. Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank
• Labour disruptions in South African mining operations have historically caused significant supply interruptions. Discovery Alert
• A matte furnace in South Africa would likely be able to attract concentrate from mines other than the Waterberg Project, thereby mitigating single asset risk. MarketScreener
• In contrast, in South Africa, Russia, Turkey and Switzerland, more people are expecting positive progress in relations with China than they are with the US. History of the Present

Last updated: 17 February 2026