Find a detailed industry analysis, an in-depth review of a market state, expert views, a discussion of the competitive landscape, and much more in each of market research reports on South Africa available in our online store.
South Africa: an economic profile
South Africa is one of the world’s few countries to split the role of capital between 3 cities. The official capital, Pretoria, enjoys a population of 1 million. Cape Town serves as the legislative capital with a population of 2.9 million whilst the judiciary is based in the smaller Bloemfontain with only 370,000 residents. The largest city, though, by far is Jonnasburg with 3.2 million people. The country’s total population is 49 million. It is a parliamentary democracy with powers split between President and Parliament. The present President is Jacob Zuma.
Economic background
South Africa had a GDP of USD 578.6 billion as of 2012 and a growth rate of 2.6% – a figure lower that during 1993-2007 when the economy grew for 62 consecutive quarters at a level of around 5% on average. It was hit badly by the crisis of 2008-2009, with growth slowing to around 3%. However, it is still regarded as one of the world’s most important emerging economies, and in 2011, it joined Russia, Brazil, China, and India to become known as the BRIC economies of emerging nations. It has an inflation rate of around 5%, but its unemployment rate is extremely high – around 25%. The government has poured a lot of money in infrastructure, and this combined with the sound legal framework makes it a trusted country for investment. Its top export partners are China, the USA, Japan, Germany and the UK, whilst it imports from the USA, China, Germany, Japan, India, Saudi Arabia, and the UK.
Industrial Analysis
The country has a widely spread industrial base with income generated as follows: agriculture – 2.2%, mining – 10%, manufacturing – around 12.5 %, electricity and water – nearly 2.5%, construction – just under 4%, wholesale retail and motor trade – just over 16%, transport storage and communications – 9%, finance real estate and business services – over 21%, government services – 6.7%, and personal services – close to 6%.
Mining
South Africa is deemed to have the world’s 5th largest mining reserves valued at some USD 2.5 trillion. It has a long history of mineral and metal extraction. Deposits include: platinum, manganese, chromite ore, gold, diamonds, and vanadium.
Gold accounts for one third of the country's exports. The country is also the fourth largest diamond producer in the world. The mining sector generates half of the nation’s foreign exchange. Companies like Exxaro, De Beers, and Anglo American Corporation are recognised as having world class technical expertise. 42% of companies quoted on the Johannesburg stock exchange are mining related. The government is trying to develop downstream industries which add value to the raw material rather than just exporting the raw product. The industry has been suffering recently from a range of industrial relations problems with strikes hitting the gold fields.
Automotive industry
Multinationals from all over the world use South Africa to create components and assemble vehicles because of its low production costs and access to new markets. Companies with manufacturing bases in the Republic comprise BMW, GM, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes Benz, Renault, and Volkswagen.
The sector contributes 6% of GDP and 12% of manufacturing exports. 28,000 people are employed directly in the industry, with 61,000 being engaged in component construction. It is based in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. The Government implemented a plan – "Automotive Development and Production Plan" – aimed to expand production to 1.2 million vehicles by 2020.
Tourism
Tourism is recognised by the government as a key industrial sector. The wonderful natural resources of the country have been enhanced by strategic think as to how they can be used to build the economy. In 2009, it contributed 7.9% to GDP, and it currently supports one in twelve jobs in the economy. The sector was given a tremendous boost in 2010 when the country staged the football World Cup and attracted 8.1 million visitors. This grew to 8.3 million in 2011. No fragment of the tourism market has been neglected. Business tourism has been an expanding area with the country having over 1000 conference and exhibition centers. However, the country also promotes eco tourism, paleo tourism and sports and adventure tourism.
Electronics
Electronics together with transport and storage account for 10% of GDP. It is one of the swiftest growing areas of the economy mainly based around mobile telephony. Its telephone network is 99.9% digital which is the most developed in Africa. It is a world leader in prepayment and fraud prevention systems. Multinational companies with subsidiaries in South Africa include: IBM, Unisys, Microsoft, Intel, Dell, and Compaq.
In conclusion, most research reports see South Africa as an expanding economy with growth in a variety of sectors. It is moving away from reliance on mineral wealth by using the income produced from these industries to diversify its economic base. Multinational companies have not been slow to recognise it as a sound centre from which to develop the expanding African market for a range of products.
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Illovo Sugar Africa Pty Ltd - Strategic SWOT Analysis Review
US$ 125.00
Illovo Sugar Africa Pty Ltd - Strategic SWOT Analysis Review provides a comprehensive insight into the company’s history, corporate strategy, business structure and operations. The report contains a detailed SWOT analysis, information on the company’s key employees, key competitors and major products and ...
February 2021
20 pages
Group Five Ltd - Strategic SWOT Analysis Review
US$ 125.00
Group Five Ltd - Strategic SWOT Analysis Review provides a comprehensive insight into the company’s history, corporate strategy, business structure and operations. The report contains a detailed SWOT...
February 2021
22 pages
RCL Foods Ltd (RCL) - Financial and Strategic SWOT Analysis Review
US$ 125.00
... ’s operations and business divisions. Corporate strategy – Analyst’s summarization of the company’s business strategy. SWOT Analysis – A detailed analysis of the company’s strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats. Company history – Progression of key events associated with the company. Major products ...
January 2021
33 pages
Insurance in South Africa
US$ 350.00
... to 80.1% of the market's overall value. South Africa’s insurance penetration rate is high, estimated at 13.8% ... South Africa insurance market by value in 2017? What will be the size of the South Africa insurance market in 2022? What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the South Africa insurance ...
December 2020
41 pages
Discovery Holdings Ltd (DSY) - Financial and Strategic SWOT Analysis Review
US$ 125.00
... ’s operations and business divisions. Corporate strategy – Analyst’s summarization of the company’s business strategy. SWOT Analysis – A detailed analysis of the company’s strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats. Company history – Progression of key events associated with the company. Major products ...
December 2020
34 pages
Gyms, Health and Fitness Clubs in South Africa
US$ 350.00
... South Africa gyms, health & fitness clubs market by value in 2017? What will be the size of the South Africa gyms, health & fitness clubs market in 2022? What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the South Africa gyms, health & fitness clubs ...
December 2020
28 pages
Life Insurance in South Africa
US$ 350.00
... South Africa life insurance market by value in 2017? What will be the size of the South Africa life insurance market in 2022? What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the South Africa life insurance ...
December 2020
40 pages
Electricity Retailing in South Africa
US$ 350.00
... South Africa electricity retailing market by value in 2017? What will be the size of the South Africa electricity retailing market in 2022? What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the South Africa electricity retailing ...
November 2020
35 pages
Civil Engineering in South Africa
US$ 350.00
... South Africa civil engineering market by value in 2017? What will be the size of the South Africa civil engineering market in 2022? What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the South Africa civil engineering ...
November 2020
28 pages
South Africa: Abalones, Winkles, and Conchs Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the abalones, winkles, and conchs market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Albacore and Longfinned Tunas Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the Albacore and longfinned tunas market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Almonds Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the almonds market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, its dynami...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Ammonium Nitrate (AN) Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the ammonium nitrate (AN) market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the mark...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Ammonium Sulfate Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the ammonium sulfate market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, i...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Anchovies Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the anchovies market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, its dyna...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Anhydrous Ammonia Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the anhydrous ammonia market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market,...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Apples Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the apples market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, its dynamic...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Apricots Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the apricots market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, its dynam...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Areca Nuts Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the areca nuts market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, its dyn...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Artichokes Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the artichokes market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, its dyn...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Asparagus Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the asparagus market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, its dyna...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Atlantic Salmon Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the Atlantic salmon market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, it...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Avocados Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the avocados market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, its dynam...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Bambara Beans Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the bambara beans market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, its...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Bananas Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the bananas market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, its dynami...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Bananas and Plantains Industry
US$ 2,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the bananas and plantains industry in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the in...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Barley Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the barley market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, its dynamic...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Beef Meat Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the beef meat market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, its dyna...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Beehives Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the beehives market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, its dynam...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Beeswax Market
US$ 1,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the beeswax market in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the market, its dynami...
November 2020
100 pages
South Africa: Berries Industry
US$ 2,499.00
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the berries industry in South Africa and a forecast for its development in the next five years. It provides a detailed analysis of the industry, its dy...
November 2020
100 pages
