Qatar Airways is significantly expanding its services to South Africa with increased frequencies to its three gateways – Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban – to meet growing demand for business and leisure travel.
The frequency boost increases the airline’s total weekly flights to South Africa from 35 to 42, providing greater flexibility for passengers connecting from South Africa to Qatar Airways’ extensive network of over 170 destinations worldwide:
Weekly flights between Johannesburg and Doha will increase from 18 to 21, effective 18 February 2026
Weekly flights between Cape Town and Doha will increase from 12 to 14, effective 17 February 2026
Weekly flights between Durban (tagged with Maputo) and Doha will increase from five to seven, effective 05 March 2026.
These enhancements demonstrate Qatar Airways’ commitment to improving connectivity between South Africa and key markets including China, Europe, and USA, facilitating economic and tourism growth in southern Africa. Passengers will also benefit from optimal flight times that provide convenient connections through the airline’s Doha hub, the multi-award-winning Hamad International Airport.
This expansion follows a significant year for Qatar Airways operations in Africa, marked by collaborations with key carriers including Air Algérie, Kenya Airways, RwandAir, and a strategic partnership with Southern Africa’s premium carrier Airlink, in which it acquired a 25% share in October 2024.
The airline continues to support key African export sectors, including fresh produce, horticulture, and textiles by providing reliable belly-hold capacity on passenger aircraft and dedicated freighters. Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s leading cargo carrier and freight division of Qatar Airways Group, transports more than 6,000 tonnes of cargo into and out of the African continent each week.
Qatar Airways, the record-breaking nine-time winner of the Skytrax ‘World’s Best Airline’ award, has also raised the bar for in-flight innovation and customer experience, announcing that passengers on select African routes can enjoy free gate-to-gate* Starlink Wi-Fi for streaming, gaming, and working at more than 35,000 feet.
The carrier further enhanced the onboard experience with nostalgic meal offerings inspired by beloved African cuisines such as jollof, bobotie, and bunny chow – alongside a curated music selection spanning modern hits, classics, and traditional sounds like mbira.
Qatar Airways’ commitment to Africa spans more than 30 years, with the inaugural flight in 1994 marking the beginning of a strategic commitment to connect the world with Africa. Today, the carrier operates over 170 weekly flights to 29 cities in 21 African countries, further complimented by 30 interline and seven codeshare agreements with airlines across Africa.
*Gate-to-gate access may be unavailable at certain airports due to local regulatory requirements.
Gunna touched down. Joburg showed up. And the first-ever Wunna Run on African soil went off. On Friday 9 January, over 500 runners took over the Johannesburg Expo Centre for a 5K that was all about movement, music, and meaning. Brought to life by Gunna and Under Armour, the energy was loud, the vibes were immaculate, and Joburg runners brought the heat.
Wunna Run Hits South Africa
What started as a wellness initiative in New York has grown into a global movement, and Joburg proved it was more than ready for Wunna Run’s African debut.
From first-timers finding their pace to athletes chasing PBs, everyone came out to push limits, share energy, and move for a good cause, with ticket proceeds donated to Gunna’s Great Giveaway, a non-profit focused on supporting families in need in Gunna’s hometown of Atlanta.
Under Armour showed up with innovation that went stride for stride with Joburg’s energy. On foot, runners laced up in the Under Armour Halo Runner and the Under Armour Halo Racer, both featuring HOVR+ foam and built for serious speed, cushioning, and energy return when it matters most. On top, the Under Armour HeatGear® Armour base layer locked in comfort and breathability for the full 5K grind.
It Takes a City: The Community Behind It
It takes more than one name to build a movement. It takes an entire city, and Joburg and Under Armour’s event partners showed up.
Powered by the energy of the Milk + Cookies Festival, the event tapped into Johannesburg’s creative core, with support from Warner Music Africa who helped curate the weekend’s sonic backdrop. Behind the scenes, The Bread helped bring the day to life with production and on-the-ground storytelling, while Vault Strength Club ensured logistics ran without a hitch.
But the real power behind Wunna Run Joburg? The runners. From first-timers to seasoned vets, they brought the hustle and heart that turned Africa’s first Wunna Run into a movement.
Continuing their legacy of prioritising people, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has been certified as a Top Employer for the 15th consecutive year.
The announcement of the 2026 Top Employers cohort, selected by the globally recognised Top Employers Institute, was made on 15 January 2026. A total of 2 497 companies were certified globally, with 154 of these being South African companies. VWGA is also among 21 Volkswagen Group companies around the world to receive this certification for 2026.
To achieve Top Employer status, organisations are evaluated based on 20 topics across six categories, including strategy, learning and development opportunities, work environment, employee engagement and wellbeing, talent acquisition, and diversity and inclusion. In their 2026 evaluation, VWGA not only achieved a score of 97%, but consistently scored above the national and international benchmarks across all categories.
“As an employer we are responsible for over 3 500 people and this certification proves that we take our responsibility seriously,” said Satish Ranchod, HR Director at VWGA. “The Top Employer title is more than a badge to us; it’s a challenge to improve continuously in how we support and develop our people, and I am proud of the people-first culture we actively pursue for our workforce.”
As 2026 begins, the stage is set for what promises to be another monumental year for Gunna who has recruited multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning R&B icon Chris Brown for a brand new Remix of his hit single “wgft” out today. Listen HERE. It notably extends the creative history between these two titans, which already spans fan favorites such as “die alone,” “Heat,” and “She Bumped Her Head.”
This time around, Brown elevates the track with his unmistakable delivery. Hypnotic synths bring dimension to the steamy soundscape, and he trades melodies back-and-forth with Gunna.
The success of the original “wgft” [feat. Burna Boy] is astounding to say the least. This international crossover has already eclipsed north of 200 million streams thus far, staking out a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 straight weeks and counting Moreover, it surged as Gunna’s 19th career Top 10 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart and became Burna Boy’s first Top 10 entry.
In other news, Gunna is currently on the road headlining his Wun World Tour. Among many highlights, he sold-out (for the second time) a hometown performance at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. In 2026, he is set to continue the tour in New Zealand, and Europe in addition to headlining Rolling Loud Australia in Sydney and Melbourne.
Gunna continues to inspire in the health and fitness space with his “Wunna Run” Club, hosting 5K runs throughout his world tour in cities like New York, Toronto, Atlanta, Houston, and Miami, where John Summit joined him. Most recently, he hosted the first international run in South Africa where thousands came out to support.
Durban, are you ready? Qualifier 1 is rolling into Kingsmead on 21 January, and history is about to be made. For the very first time, the Betway SA20 Playoffs are lighting up your city, with the top two teams going head-to-head in a high-stakes showdown under the lights. It’s a clash between the top South African and International T20 stars, a shot at an automatic place in the Final, and a night where every ball counts, because while one team books their ticket straight through, the other lives to fight another day. This is playoff cricket, Durban-style, and the stands won’t be the same without you. Here is everything turning Kingsmead into the most exciting entertainment hub on the coast this festive season.
Pre-match magic:
From 14:30 – 15:30, kids can play cricket on the field. Please bring your own bat and soft ball (weather dependent).
Glitter makeup artists, mirror men, human statues, Disney Mascots, K-POP characters, mime artists, and stilt walkers will light up the concourse.
Bucket hat giveaways, and SA20 League and Team merchandise will be available for sale.
Get ready to pose: grab a pic with the trophy (14h30 – 16h45) or take your place on the King Price throne for an epic shot.
Kids’ Corner: Selfie frames, colouring in activities and Pick-and-Win cards with cool SA20 prizes.
Incredible fan experiences:
Take a Betway Catch R2 million one-handed catch, win up to R200K on the spot with Absa, and 5K from Switch.
Partner activations and giveaways on the concourse.
Switch Innings Break School War Cry.
Entertainment on the loop stage, brought to you by rain: DJs, Crowd Karaoke and more.
As well as all the big screen activations you know and love: Dance Cam, K-POP Cam, Kiss Cam, Face Filters, Kids Cam, Bucket Hat Shuffle & Win.
Plus Pyro, Fireworks and Dancers.
Kids’ player signing sessions with both teams post-match.
Premium Seating Options
Sips & Sixes Terrace – Shaded area in Mynahs Level 2. Exclusive perks, incl. a limited-edition merchandise gift. Serviced by dedicated food & beverage concessions. Tickets available online.
Legends Lounge at Kings Club – Kick back with SA sporting legends, great views, buffet dining and bar service in SA20’s premium hospitality offering. Tickets available online.
VIP Hospitality Packages – Whether you’re hosting clients or celebrating with friends, or treating family, our hospitality experiences put you right at the heart of the action. View Playoff Hospitality Packages.
Put Your Hands Up + Spotify Playlist
Fans can join the stadium-wide #PutYourHandsUp celebration and stream the official Betway SA20 Spotify playlist, packed with stadium anthems, fan favourites and feel-good summer tracks.
Game Day Planning
Plan your matchday with ease, find all parking, access, transport and spectator planning details ahead of time at the official Kingsmead Spectator Info page:https://www.sa20.co.za/S4-Q1-Spectator-Info
Follow the Buzz using #BetwaySA20 IG: @sa20_league | TikTok: @sa20_league | YouTube: @SA20_League | X: @SA20_League | FB: @SA20League
The start of a new school year brings its familiar mix of excitement and logistics. Uniforms are sorted, schedules are reset, and the ubiquitous question arises: what’s going into the lunchbox? For many parents, the pressure to pack something “healthy, balanced and fun” can feel overwhelming. But a little planning—and a few smart swaps—can make back-to-school lunches both enjoyable and nutritious, without turning the routine into a stress point.
Modern lunchboxes are less about perfection and more about practicality. A handful of balanced staples such as fresh fruit, crisp vegetables, whole grains, and a protein source—creates a base that is both satisfying and versatile. Snacks are no longer an afterthought; they are opportunities to introduce variety and encourage positive habits. The aim is not to craft Instagram-worthy meals, but to make choices that kids actually eat, while keeping sugar and additives in check.
Refreshment is one of the simplest yet most overlooked components of a well-rounded lunchbox. Many children rely on sweetened drinks to quench thirst, but these can lead to energy spikes followed by crashes that disrupt focus in the classroom. Thoughtful alternatives that combine flavour, fun, and low sugar make a meaningful difference that combine flavour,
This is where PURA Kids comes in. Designed with children, and parents alike in mind, PURA Kids offers delicious, naturally flavoured options that are low in sugar and free from artificial ingredients. It’s a parent-approved way to keep hydration engaging, without compromising on taste. A can or bottle tucked into a lunchbox is an easy, stress-free choice that kids enjoy and parents can trust
The key to successful back-to-school lunches is flexibility. Including items that can be eaten in any order, packed the night before, or swapped between children keeps the process manageable and enjoyable. Small steps, like choosing a water-based, lightly flavoured drink instead of sugaryalternatives, add up over time, creating healthier habits that last far beyond January.
Packing a lunchbox that makes sense doesn’t need to feel like a chore. It is about choosing options that fit both lifestyle and taste, encouraging independence and consistency without pressure. PURA Kids provides a simple, refreshing addition that complements a balanced lunch while keeping the fun intact. After all, school lunches should be nourishing, easy, and something kids look forward to every day.
Eskom and the Government of the Netherlands and key provincial partners will officially launch the Grootvlei Climate Smart Horticulture Centre on Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at Grootvlei Power Station in Mpumalanga.
The Centre is a pilot initiative under Eskom’s Just Energy Transition (JET) Programme and marks an important step in linking South Africa’s energy transition with agriculture, climate-smart food production, skills development and new economic opportunities.
The Grootvlei Climate Smart Horticulture Centre demonstrates how the repurposing of energy-related infrastructure such as coal-fired power stations can support new, future-oriented economic activities beyond the energy sector. By combining clean energy solutions with climate-smart horticulture, the project contributes to job creation, skills development and more resilient local food systems.
Climate-smart horticulture enables food to be produced more efficiently and reliably, using less water and fewer inputs. This is particularly relevant in Mpumalanga, where communities are facing the combined challenges of climate change, water scarcity and economic transition. The Centre will serve as a demonstration and training facility, supporting farmers, technicians and young professionals with practical, market-relevant skills.
The project illustrates how the Just Energy Transition can deliver tangible socio-economic benefits by linking the repurposing of energy infrastructure with new, productive land use. Through the development of climate-smart horticulture, the Centre supports alternative livelihoods and inclusive growth, while creating opportunities across the agricultural value chain. From production and training to processing and distribution.
The partnership with the Netherlands reflects a shared focus on practical, integrated solutions. Dutch expertise in high-tech horticulture, efficient water use, energy-smart production systems and the organisation of agricultural value chains is internationally recognised and directly relevant to the challenges faced in Mpumalanga. By combining South African knowledge and local leadership with Dutch expertise, the Grootvlei Climate Smart Horticulture Centre provides a strong foundation for a future agrihub and long-term private sector investments.
What will start as a demonstration and training site is intended to grow over time. The Grootvlei Climate Smart Horticulture Centre provides a foundation for the development of a future agrihub, bringing together agriculture, energy, skills development and logistics, with increasing involvement of the private sector.
The official launch on 27 January 2026 will include a tour of the facility, demonstrations of climate-smart technologies and engagement with key stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
Binance Research has published a full-year report summarizing what defined crypto markets in 2025 and outlining themes for 2026. The below is a summary of the report’s most decision-useful takeaways, with emphasis on the structural signals: clearer regulatory frameworks, expanding institutional access, stablecoins scaling as settlement infrastructure, DeFi maturing into a cash-flow sector, and tokenization moving from pilot programs to production workflows. Read the full report here.
2025: Structural Progress, Macro-driven Markets
2025 delivered milestone achievements alongside a choppy market. Total crypto market capitalization surpassed $4 trillion for the first time, and Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of $126,000. At the same time, macro uncertainty – monetary policy, trade tensions, and geopolitical risk – dominated market behavior. Binance Research describes a year defined by “data fog,” including a new U.S. administration, the Liberation Day tariff shock, and a government shutdown that obscured economic signals. Crypto traded in a wide range, with total market value swinging between about $2.4 trillion and $4.2 trillion, and ended the year down about 7.9%.
The optimistic reading is that structural progress continued even when price action did not cooperate – and that is one of the clearest maturity signals in the report. Access, settlement rails, and regulation moved forward, and many of the strongest growth areas were tied to practical usage rather than speculation.
Crypto is Industrializing
A useful theme for 2025 is industrialization: the market increasingly rewarded infrastructure and credible access routes. Regulatory clarity, particularly around stablecoins, as well as the expansion of regulated investment products increased the number of ways institutions and sophisticated investors could participate. At the same time, the ecosystem’s economic center of gravity continued shifting toward compliance-friendly building blocks: stablecoins for settlement, tokenized treasuries for on-chain cash management, and applications that can monetize recurring flows rather than one-off hype cycles.
This is one reason “activity” alone became a weaker signal. The report repeatedly distinguishes between raw usage metrics and economic relevance: what matters is whether a network or protocol can capture recurring value, produce durable fees or revenue, and support reliable settlement and trading.
Bitcoin as a Macro Asset
Bitcoin in 2025 showed a divergence between market demand and base-layer activity. BTC maintained roughly 58% to 60% market dominance and a capitalization near $1.8 trillion, while liquidity and demand increasingly flowed through off-chain financial channels.
Two numbers in the report anchor that shift:
U.S. spot BTC ETFs accumulated over $21 billion in net inflows.
Corporate holdings surpassed 1.1 million BTC, equivalent to about 5.5% of total supply.
Figure 1: Spot BTC ETFs attracted over US$21.3B in net inflows
At the same time, active addresses declined about 16% year over year, and transaction counts stayed below prior cycle peaks. The point is not that the base layer is irrelevant, but that Bitcoin’s market role is increasingly defined by how it trades and is held within macro portfolios and regulated channels. Network security continued strengthening – hash rate exceeded 1 zettahash per second and mining difficulty rose about 36% year over year – reinforcing the idea of sustained investment into Bitcoin’s security budget even as usage metrics normalized.
In sum, Bitcoin is moving toward the status of a liquid, institutional-grade macro asset rather than a purely transaction-led network.
DeFi’s “Blue Chip” Moment
DeFi in 2025 moved further away from incentives-first growth and closer to capital efficiency and compliance. Total value locked stabilized at about $124.4 billion, but the composition of capital shifted meaningfully toward stablecoins and yield-bearing assets rather than inflationary tokens. In parallel, DeFi’s economic output strengthened: protocol revenue reached $16.2 billion, which the report frames as comparable to major traditional financial institutions.
Figure 2: DeFi monthly revenue in reached a record high of US$1.65B. Source: DefiLlama, Binance Research, as of Dec 31, 2025
A major trend was tokenization’s move from narrative to collateral. RWA total value locked reached $17 billion and surpassed DEXs, driven by tokenized treasuries and equities. This dynamic essentially changes what backs on-chain finance. When collateral shifts toward yield-bearing, real-world instruments, it makes DeFi more tied to repeatable financial demand.
The report also notes that on-chain execution continued gaining relevance, with DEX-to-CEX spot trading ratios peaking near 20%. While ratios fluctuate, the broader trend is that decentralized execution is becoming a meaningful venue for certain flows, especially as stablecoins grow and RWA collateral becomes more liquid and usable.
Stablecoins Enter the “Internet Fiat” Era
If one part of crypto clearly went mainstream in 2025, it was stablecoins, which have reliably become settlement infrastructure.
Key stablecoin takeaways from the report include:
Total stablecoin market capitalization rose nearly 50% to over $305 billion.
Daily transaction volumes averaged about $3.54 trillion.
Annual transaction volume reached $33 trillion, compared to Visa’s approximately $16 trillion.
Regulatory clarity accelerated, led by the U.S. GENIUS Act.
New competition expanded beyond a duopoly: BUIDL, PYUSD, RLUSD, USD1, USDf, and USDtB each crossed $1 billion market cap.
Figure 3: Six new stablecoins crossed the US$1B market cap mark. Source: Artemis, Binance Research, as of 31 December, 2025.
The optimistic narrative is straightforward: stablecoins are increasingly a default medium of exchange inside crypto markets and an increasingly practical rail for cross-border settlement, payments, and fintech applications. In many cases, stablecoins allow users and businesses to access crypto rails while abstracting the volatility that makes newcomers hesitant.
Layer-1s: Monetization is King
Across layer-1 networks, 2025 reinforced that transaction counts are not enough. Many networks failed to convert activity into fees, value capture, or sustained token performance. Meanwhile, differentiation increasingly came from recurring monetizable flows such as trading, payments, and institutional settlement.
Ethereum remained dominant by developer activity, DeFi liquidity, and aggregate value, but fee compression from rollup execution weighed on ETH relative performance versus BTC.
Solana maintained high usage, expanded stablecoin supply, generated meaningful protocol revenue even after speculative waves faded, and secured U.S. spot ETF approval, improving institutional accessibility.
BNB Chain benefited from strong retail transaction demand and market narratives, supporting large stablecoin settlement flows and RWA deployments. The report also frames BNB as the best-performing major crypto asset in 2025.
Layer-2 networks accounted for more than 90% of Ethereum-related execution in 2025, supported by upgrades that lowered data availability costs. Activity and fees concentrated among a small number of rollups such as Base and Arbitrum, while many others faded as incentives declined. Fragmentation across more than 100 rollups and uneven sequencer decentralization remain constraints, reinforcing another 2026 theme: value capture may move “upstream” to the application layer that owns the user relationship rather than remaining at the blockspace layer.
2026 Outlook: Risk Reboot and Adoption-led Growth
The report’s 2026 outlook is framed around a more constructive policy environment and a shift toward adoption-led growth.
On macro, a “policy triumvirate” could support a reset in risk appetite: monetary easing, fiscal stimulus via cash and tax refunds, and deregulation. When financial conditions ease, risk assets often benefit, and crypto has historically been highly sensitive to global liquidity impulses. The report also notes the potential for a U.S. Strategic BTC Reserve as a policy catalyst.
On product and market structure, the themes are less about a single narrative and more about where durable usage may concentrate:
PayFi: neobanks and wallets converging, with yield-bearing stablecoins supporting new consumer financial apps.
Institutionalization: on-chain money markets, treasuries, and RWA settlement embedded into workflows.
Value capture: as blockspace becomes cheaper, applications such as wallets, aggregators, DEXs, and prediction markets may capture more value.
Intelligent and agentic finance: AI-driven execution, automated workflows, and trust tooling.
Prediction markets: information pricing as an alternative to opinion-driven narratives.
In other words, 2026 is likely to reward systems that are verifiable, compliant, and built around recurring utility.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, crypto kept progressing even against macro headwinds. Bitcoin’s demand increasingly flowed through regulated channels, stablecoins scaled as settlement infrastructure, DeFi matured into a revenue-generating sector, and tokenization moved closer to production-grade finance. The 2026 outlook in the Binance Research report builds on those foundations: more institutional integration, more application-layer adoption, and a macro setup that may become less restrictive. For the detailed charts, methodology, and the full list of 2026 themes, read the complete report here.
Disclaimer: Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up, and you may not get back the amount invested. This content is for general information only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.
With smartphone prices expected to soar this year due to high RAM costs, many South Africans may consider buying a second-hand or refurbished device rather than a new one. A preloved device can offer you solid performance and a long lifespan at a lower cost than a brand-new device. It is better for the environment, too.
But buying a used smartphone also comes with its share of risks. Whether you’re shopping from Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Cash Crusaders or through a refurbisher, knowing what to look out for can save you from making an expensive mistake.
TCL offers a buying guide for South Africans who are thinking about getting a second-hand phone.
Refurbished versus second-hand
If you’re not buying new, you have two choices. You can buy an as-is second-hand device from a private seller or a retailer, or you can get a refurbished smartphone from a specialist. A refurbished device will typically be tested, cleaned, repaired if needed and sold with a warranty or return window.
A second-hand device will usually be sold at the buyer’s risk. It will be cheaper to buy than a refurbished device, but you will have fewer protections. There is no guarantee the phone was legally obtained or even works properly. If something goes wrong after the sale, you will probably not be able to get your money back.
Staying safe when buying second-hand
If you are a buying a second-hand phone from an individual seller on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, you should follow the usual commonsense safety steps. Ask to meet in a public place such as a shopping centre or coffee shop rather than at your or their home. If you can, use an electronic payment method rather than cash because it creates a transaction record. Also, take your time testing the device and do not feel pressured to rush the deal.
Inspect the physical condition
The first thing to do when evaluating a device is to look at it closely. Check the screen for cracks, dead pixels, or discolouration. Test the buttons to make sure they respond properly. Look for signs of water damage, such as corrosion in ports or fogging in camera lenses. Also plug in a charger to ensure it fits snugly into the charging port.
Make sure the phone is not stolen
When shopping on social media or a classifieds platform, there is a danger of accidentally buying a stolen phone. Ask the seller for their proof of purchase if they still have it. Insert your own SIM card and confirm the phone connects to your mobile network. If it does not, it may be blacklisted and unusable on local networks or it may be network locked.
Test battery health and charging
Poor battery life due to natural degradation is a common issue in older smartphones. Ask to test how quickly the phone charges and whether the battery drains unusually fast during normal use. If possible, use a battery health app to measure real battery capacity and diagnose the battery’s overall condition.
Confirm software and update support
Check which Android version the phone is running and whether it still receives security updates. Older devices that no longer get updates may expose you to security risks or compatibility issues with newer apps.
Test key features
Open the camera app and test the front and rear cameras. Play audio to check the speakers and make a test call to verify the microphone. Test components like fingerprint readers, face unlocking, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and earphone jacks to identify any deal-breaking issues.
Factory reset and Google lock
Before paying, ensure the phone has been factory reset and is not locked to the previous owner’s Google account. If Factory Reset Protection is still active, you will not be able to use the device at all.
Check warranty or returns
If you’re buying a refurbished smartphone, review the seller’s warranty and return policy carefully. Even a short return window offers you peace of mind if a fault appears after you have paid for the phone.
When South Africa’s delegation touches down in Davos next week, it will arrive carrying significant momentum from recent milestones that strengthen the country’s global standing.
Fresh from hosting a historic G20 Summit on African soil – and supported by a credit rating upgrade, removal from the FATF greylist, South Africa is heading to the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting with a clear message: the country is bold by nature, focused on delivery, and ready for global partnerships.
“We are coming to Davos to demonstrate tangible progress,” says Mr Neville Matjie, CEO of Brand South Africa. “The reforms are real. The progress is measurable. And the opportunities are substantial.”
Led by Minister of Finance Mr Enoch Godongwana, this year’s delegation brings together senior leadership across government, state institutions, and the private sector. It includes Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Mr Parks Tau, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Mr Ronald Lamola, Minister of Electricity Mr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Small Business Development Ms Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, and SAT Minister.
Partners include South African Tourism, First Rand Group, Rand Merchant Bank, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Naspers-Prosus, Old Mutual, Telkom, South African Breweries, the Industrial Development Corporation, Eskom, Transnet, and the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, supported by ABSA, and Anglo American. Together, they reflect a coordinated national effort to advance South Africa’s reform agenda, investment priorities, and global economic positioning.
“The strength of Team SA lies in its unity,” says Ms Ipeleng Selele, Chairperson of Brand South Africa. “We are representing a country making solid progress across multiple fronts – and we’re doing it together.”
The narrative South Africa takes to Davos is grounded in evidence. In November 2025, Standard & Poor’s delivered the country’s first sovereign credit rating upgrade in nearly two decades. Weeks earlier, South Africa was removed from the Financial Action Task Force greylist following the implementation of a comprehensive 22-item reform programme. This progress was reinforced on 9 January 2026, when the European Union published its decision to remove South Africa from its list of high-risk third country jurisdictions, effective 29 January 2026. The move reduces regulatory friction for transactions with EU financial institutions and signals growing international confidence in South Africa’s regulatory and financial governance framework.
The energy sector has delivered over 300 consecutive days without load shedding, and according to Group CEO, Dan Marokane, Eskom entered 2026 with an additional 4400MW of available generation capacity compared to the same period last year, underpinned by a marked improvement in the performance of its power stations.
Operation Vulindlela – the structural reform programme jointly led by the Presidency and National Treasury – continues to unlock bottlenecks across the economy. A pipeline of 220 GW of private-sector renewable energy projects is in development, with 72 GW in advanced stages. Eleven private Train Operating Companies were selected to add 20 million tonnes of freight capacity annually from 2026/27. Digital reforms have reduced data costs by 51%, while visa reforms cleared a 306,000-application backlog.
South Africa’s G20 Presidency has added further momentum to these efforts. The Leaders’ Declaration, rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu – secured the African Union’s permanent seat and adopted the G20 Critical Minerals Framework, positioning South Africa at the heart of global conversations about energy transition and industrial supply chains.
Under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), South Africa exported R571 billion worth of goods to the balance of the continent in 2024. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange remains Africa’s largest and most liquid capital market.
“When you invest in South Africa, you’re not just investing in one country,” notes Mr Matjie. “You’re investing in a platform – for Africa, and increasingly, for the Global South.”
Team SA will operate from the South Africa House – a 225 square metre flagship space on Davos’ 49 Promenade – home to Team South Africa’s official programme from 19 to 23 January 2026. The delegation will participate in panel discussions covering energy transition, capital mobilisation, critical minerals, logistics reform, and digital innovation.
The signature event, SA Night brings together business leaders, investors, diplomats, and media to showcase South African hospitality, culture, and opportunity will be hosted on Tuesday 20 January. For the first time, South African Tourism is on board to host a “South Africa Awaits Come Find Your Joy” event, a wine and golf sector experience to give international audiences a taste of South Africa. “Davos is where reputations are built and narratives are reinforced,” says Ms Selele. “This year, we’re showcasing South Africa’s boldness, substance, resilience, and opportunity. We’re ready to engage.”
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