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 African farmers will likely plant 3% more corn in 2026 relative to 2025. ADM Investor Services
• [New] 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
• [New] South Africa's mature industrial base offers a reservoir of talent that can be mobilised through targeted upskilling and opportunity creation. Engineering News
• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] The 2027-2029 period marks a critical phase as above-ground inventories deplete to multi-year lows. / South Africa Just2Trade
• [New] South African production constraints and limited recycling recovery create structural tightness, while hydrogen fuel cell demand offers growth potential beyond traditional automotive applications. Just2Trade
• [New] Whether South Africa seizes that opportunity under India's BRICS chairmanship will be a defining test of its foreign policy maturity. orfonline.org
• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] The two main greenfield projects advancing toward production - Ivanhoe Mines' Platreef and Wesizwe's Bakubung in South Africa - are expected to contribute a combined 150000 oz of platinum and 100000 oz of palladium in 2026, the bank reports. Mining Weekly
• South Africa's platinum group metals support hydrogen economy transition requirements, while Namibia's developing lithium extraction capabilities represent emerging supply source diversification opportunities. Discovery Alert
• While many believe the US will remain influential, outside Brazil, India, South Africa and Turkey there was no majority - including in the US itself - for the view that American influence was likely to grow any further. The Guardian
• At the time South Africa has to balance its trade with the United States, which is part of the African Growth and Opportunity Act with its trade, with the BRICS countries. Medium
• Bank of America expects moderate recovery in South African platinum output in 2026, albeit not enough to ease the platinum deficit, indicating structural rather than temporary supply constraints. Discovery Alert
• South Africa commands 70% of global production, while Russia controls 12%, creating a duopoly that introduces systematic supply chain vulnerabilities. Discovery Alert
• More than 100 people have been killed after torrential rain caused flooding across South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, with authorities issuing warnings that more severe weather is expected across several countries in southern Africa. SKY
• The BRICS nations-Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - are reportedly forging ahead with plans for a new currency or digital payment system, a move that could challenge the US dollar's long-standing dominance. Interactive Crypto
• Using a combination of satellite imagery, weather and ground-level environmental datasets, challenge registrants - who can form teams of up to three members - will develop AI models to forecast water quality based on key parameters (alkalinity, salinity and phosphorous) for rivers in South Africa. Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny w Katowicach
• During recent electoral processes such as the 2024 South African elections, quantitative studies have shown that false narratives spread in WhatsApp groups feed on emotions (41% fear, 32% identity) and often imitate journalistic formats to deceive, even after being discredited. De Ultimo Minuto English
• Tax Explore how South Africa's proposed tax increases could inadvertently heighten risks of tax evasion and challenge anti-money laundering efforts, amidst a backdrop of financial instability and healthcare reform. IOL

Last updated: 03 February 2026