The South African Weather Service (SAWS)(link is external) is the national meteorological service of the country. It provides weather and climate related data, including daily weather forecasts.
Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are geographically designated areas set aside for specifically targeted economic activities.
The Special Economic Zones Act 16 of 2014 provides for the designation, promotion, development, operation and management of SEZs. The Act commenced in February 2016 and several SEZs have been designated since.
A number of incentives will be available to ensure SEZs growth, revenue generation, creation of jobs, attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and international competitiveness. These may include:
The South African government introduced tax free investments in 2015 as an incentive to encourage household savings.
You don’t have to pay income tax, dividends tax or capital gains tax on the returns from these investments.
You can only contribute a maximum of R33 000 per tax year, with a life time limit of R500 000 per person.
Accounts that qualify as tax free investments:
Contact your bank or financial advisor about options. Existing accounts may not be converted.
More information about tax free investments is available from SARS.
The Consumer Protection Act, Act 68 of 2008 [PDF] provides protection to you as consumer. The National Consumer Commission. (NCC) was established in terms of the Act with jurisdiction throughout the Republic of South Africa. Provincial Consumer Affairs Offices countrywide offer you advice and protection.
You can find more FAQs on consumer rights on the website of the National Consumer Commission.
South Africa’s metal fabrication sector is the most advanced and diverse metal fabrication sector in Africa.
South Africa’s metal fabrication industry has major spill-over effects as top steel consuming industries including mining, construction, automotive, cables and structural steel, contribute about 15% of the country’s economy. South Africa has an installed annual steel production capacity of 10 million tonnes and produces about 6 million tonnes per year.
Basic iron and steel, non-ferrous and ferrous metal products and machinery accounted for one-fifth of South Africa’s manufacturing output in 2018. Over the last five years, South Africa’s average apparent steel consumption was close to 5 million tonnes per year, making it Africa’s second largest steel consumer after Egypt.
South Africa has world-class design talent and a strong talent pipeline that reflects the creativity and potential of the sector, with 14 tertiary institutions offering fashion-related degrees. Since 2014, a number of South African designers have showcased their designs at the acclaimed New York Fashion Week.
It is also the home of the coveted LVMH prize winners – Thebe Magugu in 2019, Sindiso Khumalo in 2020 and Lukhanyo Mdingi in 2021. The South African Clothing, Textile, Footwear, and Leather (CTFL) manufacturing industry is well developed and ranges from the production of synthetic and natural inputs to final clothing and shoes.
Designers who form part of the clothing and textile sector in South Africa contributed approximately R1-billion to South Africa’s GDP during 2019. South Africa is the world’s largest mohair producer and supplier, accounting for about 54% of global production. The mohair sector generates about R1.5bn in foreign currency annually.
South Africa is home to Africa’s most advanced and largest chemicals sector, valued at approximately US$25bn. It is estimated to be four times and thirteen times larger than the chemicals markets of Nigeria and Egypt, respectively. South Africa’s chemicals industry is highly mature and diverse, spanning fuel and plastics fabrication to pharmaceuticals, and supplies a wide range of industries.
According to the Chemical and Allied Industries Association, the sector provides input to 23% of the country’s total manufacturing gross value. In 2018, the chemicals (organic and inorganic chemicals, as well as plastics) sector exported close to U$4bn in products. Plastics accounted for 37%, inorganic chemicals for 35% and organic chemicals for 29% of the sector’s export earnings.
The sector is dominated by a few integrated, local and international manufacturing companies, of which the 20 largest account for close to 90% of the sector’s revenue.
South Africa has close to 10 billion tonnes of proven coal reserves, among the largest in the world. Given its leading expertise in coal-to-liquid technology, the country’s coal deposits present key inputs for the chemicals industry.
South Africa has also developed advanced capabilities for the production of emerging materials including advanced carbon materials. The world market for advanced carbon materials is expected to record a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5% between 2019 and 2024.
South Africa’s commercial agricultural sector is well-developed and globally competitive. Thanks to diverse climatic and geological conditions, South Africa is well suited for the cultivation of a wide range of crops.
Key agricultural and related products include corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits (e.g., apples, citrus fruits, table grapes, berries), vegetables, nuts (e.g., groundnuts, pecan nuts, macadamias), beef, poultry, mutton, wool, fish and seafood.
A sophisticated and competitive agro-processing industry is built and supported by South Africa’s diverse agricultural sector, accounting for 23% of the country’s manufacturing sector and making it the largest sub-sector of manufacturing. The food and beverages sector was one of the best performing manufacturing sub-sectors in the last five years, growing from R392bn in 2014 to R537bn in 2018
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