Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) has welcomed key messages from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), saying there is progress to acknowledge but warning that reform efforts must move faster.
One area BLSA highlighted was the Ramaphosa’s clear commitment to the unbundling of Eskom. Ramaphosa said a fully independent Transmission System Operator will be created, with ownership and full control of transmission assets, separate from Eskom Holdings. A task team under the National Energy Crisis Management Committee has been given three months to report back on progress.
BLSA Chief Executive Officer Busisiwe Mavuso said the clarification is important for both investors and business leaders.
“This issue has caused major concern, with international investors and local business leaders starting to question government’s commitment to the reform programme,” Mavuso said. “Certainty is important, and we are encouraged by President Ramaphosa’s comments.”
The address also pointed to broader economic improvements in SA, including a better credit rating, removal from the FATF grey list, lower inflation, a stronger Rand, reduced borrowing costs, and solid performance on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
BLSA said these gains are encouraging but stressed that faster and consistent implementation of reforms will be key to maintaining confidence and building on the progress made.
–ChannelAfrica–
