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] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] The halo effect is expected to boost MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) arrivals throughout 2026. / South Africa KLEBER GROUP
• [New] 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
• [New] Strategy: Call spreads are recommended, likely favoring Platinum due to the supply risk in South Africa and Russia. Quantlabs
• [New] 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
• [New] Labour disruptions in South African mining operations have historically caused significant supply interruptions. Discovery Alert
• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• South African farmers will likely plant 3% more corn in 2026 relative to 2025. ADM Investor Services
• Capacity growth in Egypt, South Africa and Morocco should see their end-2032 totals having reached 11.9 GW, 9.8 GW and 6.6GW respectively. Windpower Monthly
• South Africa's mature industrial base offers a reservoir of talent that can be mobilised through targeted upskilling and opportunity creation. Engineering News
• With unemployment being above 30% incessantly, including levels amongst the young population far higher than global norms, South Africa is suffering from a mismatch between skills and opportunities that dampens not only productivity but consumption as well. IOL
• Drury sees room for innovation - but it requires nuance, There's real opportunity for biologicals, but only with localized strategies for countries like Morocco, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. AgriBusiness Global
• The 2027-2029 period marks a critical phase as above-ground inventories deplete to multi-year lows. / South Africa Just2Trade
• South African production constraints and limited recycling recovery create structural tightness, while hydrogen fuel cell demand offers growth potential beyond traditional automotive applications. Just2Trade
• Whether South Africa seizes that opportunity under India's BRICS chairmanship will be a defining test of its foreign policy maturity. orfonline.org
• In a world where traditional governance structures are losing legitimacy and geopolitical competition is intensifying, the question is not whether BRICS will remake the global order, but whether states like South Africa can use it effectively. orfonline.org
• India's chairmanship provides an opportunity for Pretoria to work with a like-minded partner to refocus BRICS on development, practical cooperation, and institutional credibility, areas where South Africa's diplomacy has traditionally been strongest. orfonline.org

Last updated: 10 February 2026