The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), run by Statistics South Africa, is one of the most important instruments providing information on the state of South Africa’s labour force. It provides important information on employment, unemployment, and the distribution of work both across sectors, and across the country.

Modern societies are profoundly reliant on a consistent, high-volume supply of energy. According to the Energy Institute, three fossil fuels (specifically oil, coal and natural gas) accounted for 86.7% of global energy consumption in 2024. Oil remains the world’s largest single energy source, propelling land, sea and air transportation, heating buildings and producing other electricity and power.

Lean is often associated with tools and efficiency frameworks, yet lasting improvement rarely depends on tools alone. At its core, Lean requires leadership courage and disciplined learning.

The GIBS (Manufacturing Focus) MBA Environment of Business immersion, led by myself and fellow TWIMS faculty member Dr Lisa Kinnear, last month provided a powerful illustration of how the external environment shapes the performance and resilience of firms operating in emerging-market industrial nodes.

South Africa’s 2026 Budget offers the manufacturing sector a stronger macroeconomic platform, but its real value will be determined by implementation. Treasury’s emphasis on fiscal sustainability, debt stabilisation and a rules-based public finance framework is an important and credible signal.