This media release is supplied by the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) .
Johannesburg, 27 July 2023: CEOs from over 115 of South Africa’s leading corporations have
signed a pledge underpinning their collective belief in South Africa, and their determination
to assist in realising its potential.
The pledge states: “As South African business leaders, we firmly believe in the immense
potential of our country. We are committed to building it and have come together to address
the current challenges with the aim of achieving sustainable, inclusive economic growth.
Through strategic partnerships and focused interventions, we have the power to make a
significant and positive impact on our nation, creating hope for all South Africans. We are
resolutely committed to being a force for good”.
The scale, diversity and depth of the companies and CEOs behind this pledge is
unprecedented, with an expected increase in the number of CEOs participating. The
companies represented by these CEOs operate across all sectors of the South African
economy, with the values of the listed entities exceeding R11 trillion, employing more than
1.2 million people.
All sectors of society acknowledge and experience the impact of the many crises currently
faced in South Africa. These include low economic growth, collapsing infrastructure,
rampant crime and corruption, and unacceptably high levels of inequality and
unemployment.
The CEOs who have signed this pledge are reaffirming their belief in the country’s potential,
and their dedication and determination to reversing the current trajectory. Business is
committed to using its collective resources and expertise to partner, assist, build and bolster
initiatives aimed at rapidly turning the flywheel and changing our country’s direction.
Adrian Gore, BUSA Vice President and Group CEO of Discovery, expressed his admiration for
the commitment and collaboration demonstrated by fellow South African business leaders:
“This CEO pledge is not just a symbolic gesture, but a concrete commitment to drive change
in key sectors that are essential for our economic recovery. With a growing number of CEOs
on board, representing a wide range of industries, the magnitude of this pledge cannot be
underestimated. By translating these partnerships into a collective action plan, the
transformative power of these actions can extend beyond mere statistics – it can profoundly
impact our nation, our communities, and each individual citizen”.
Business’s partnership with government – recently announced by the President and leading
CEOs – is a primary example of this type of collaborative effort, which is focused on
addressing key fundamentals. Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), through its structure
Business for South Africa (B4SA), is supporting government to implement key priority
interventions in the areas of Energy, Transport and Logistics, and Crime and Corruption,
together with government counterparties. The intention is to bring resources and capacity
to bear to address the socioeconomic crises facing our country.
The process of securing extensive resources including funding, skills and expertise to support
government in addressing these initial priorities has started and are being procured. This is
being done through organised business, including BUSA, B4SA, Business Leadership South
Africa. The Resource Mobilisation Fund (RMF), which recently raised R100 million to
contribute expertise to the government via the National Energy Crisis Committee is an
example of the initiatives to support government.
Cas Coovadia, BUSA CEO, expressed the importance of the collaboration and said: “The
backdrop against which this pledge has been made is clear. South Africa currently faces
many obstacles that have hindered our path to prosperity and perpetuated a narrative of
decline and hopelessness. Business has consistently said that long-term meaningful
investment is a precursor to sustainable, inclusive growth which in turn is fundamental to
addressing socioeconomic improvement”.
Martin Kingston, Chair of the B4SA Steering Committee, emphasised business’s shared belief
with government that enduring and substantial investment is crucial for sustainable and
inclusive growth. He recognised that while it may take time to witness tangible
advancements, this approach is essential in addressing the prevailing crises. He concluded:
“As a business community we are clear that we need constructive interventions – now”.
For further information, please contact:
Julian Gwillim (julian@aprio.co.za)
Esme Arendse (esme@aprio.co.za)
Adrian Gore (AdrianG@discovery.co.za)
Martin Kingston (martin.kingston@rothschildandco.com)
Cas Coovadia (Cas.Coovadia@busa.org.za)
Busi Mavuso (Bmavuso@businessleadership.org.za)
Note to editors:
About Business Unity South Africa (BUSA): BUSA is a business organisation that represents
the interests of South African business, covering major sectors and industrial groupings.
BUSA aims to create an enabling environment for business success and economic growth in
the country by engaging with government, labour unions, and civil society.
About Business for South Africa (B4SA): B4SA is a BUSA platform, bringing together key
South African business leaders to address urgent national challenges and drive economic
recovery. B4SA focuses on key priority areas and works in close collaboration with
government counterparts to find innovative solutions and create a positive impact for all
South Africans.
The +115 CEOs that have signed this pledge, represent the following companies
