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] As the first African host of the G20, South Africa sees 2025 as an opportunity to spotlight African priorities, including development financing, debt relief, and climate change. Friedrich Naumann Foundation
• [New] South Africa's renewable energy ambitions offer a unique opportunity to address social and economic challenges while maximising plant availability and performance. AutoForum
• [New] South Africa is still in talks with Washington over the newly imposed 30% tariffs, which threaten key export sectors. Friedrich Naumann Foundation
• [New] The Trump administration plans to cut refugee admissions to a record low in fiscal year 2026 and prioritize relief for certain groups like white Afrikaners from South Africa whom it deems face unjust discrimination. Cyrus D Mehta & Partners PLLC
• [New] Other high-risk or high-opportunity jurisdictions include Turkey, India, China, Brazil, South Africa, and Kenya, regions where demand for stable and borderless value storage continues to accelerate. Unlock Blockchain
• [New] Encouraging is research by the Red Meat Industry Services to validate that the FMD strains in South Africa differ from the fatal strains experienced in the rest of the world, helping clarify export risks and rebuild confidence in international markets. African farming
• [New] The world's largest economies, the G20, currently led by South Africa, are not on track to being able to limit global average temperatures to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels by 2100. The Conversation
• [New] South Africa has, in the past, voiced concerns over moving too quickly toward de-dollarization, warning that it could harm existing economic partnerships and investment flows with the U.S. and the West in general. GIS Reports
• [New] Emerging markets tell a different story, averaging just 3.14% of GDP overall, and removing two outliers - Taiwan and South Africa, it will come down to 2.1%. ThoughtWorks
• [New] The South African G20 presidency coincides with the final push to meet the Paris Agreement's 2030 targets and the Sustainable Development Goals, both of which require accelerated action at the local level. SAIIA
• [New] South Africa's 2025 G20 presidency offers a unique opportunity to elevate local governments as strategic partners in global climate and environmental governance. SAIIA
• [New] South Africa on Monday outlined support measures for local companies that will be hit by a 30% U.S. tariff this week, including exemptions from some competition rules and financial support facilities. FDD
• Treatment and prevention of type 1 diabetes in individuals carrying HLA DR 3-DQ 2 using Diamyd is granted in Europe, Eurasia, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, South Africa and South Korea, with patent protection extending to 2038. News Powered by Cision
• A trade disruption of rhodium from South Africa could cost the U.S. $64 billion in GDP. Visual Capitalist

Last updated: 14 October 2025