PROJECT: GOOD NEWS SOUTH AFRICA

Isabel Spies
2 days ago
5 min read

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South African citizens are confronted daily with an overwhelming stream of negative news –

unstable politics, crime, corruption, unemployment, and economic uncertainty.

As 2025 nears its end, Specialised Security Services (SSS) believes it is essential to shift perspective and highlight the positive developments expected for 2026. Despite the challenges facing the nation, meaningful progress is taking shape across economic sectors, governance structures, education, infrastructure, tourism, sport, and culture. These advancements reflect resilience, renewed confidence, and opportunities that will positively influence South Africa’s trajectory going forward.

Below is an overview of key good-news developments projected for 2026:

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL OUTLOOK:

CREDIT RATING IMPROVEMENT:
- S&P Global has upgraded South Africa’s sovereign credit rating outlook to positive, citing strengthened tax collection and continued fiscal consolidation expected through 2028.
GDP GROWTH PREDICTIONS:
- Economic experts anticipate improved GDP growth in 2026, driven by the recent cycle of interest rate cuts, stabilisation of the national energy supply, and renewed international investor confidence.
- Moody’s further notes that South Africa’s economic recovery is “taking shape by 2026”.
INTEREST RATES AND CURRENCY STRENGTH:
- Additional interest rate cuts are expected in 2026, creating relief for homeowners and stimulating economic activity.
- The rand is also projected to gain further strength against major global currencies.
BUSINESS TAX STABILITY:
- The National Treasury has confirmed no intention to increase Corporate Income Tax (CIT), offering businesses predictability and stability in an otherwise challenging fiscal environment.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT:
- Cape Town will host the Infrastructure Africa 2026 Conference, which aims to unlock the next wave of national infrastructure investment opportunities and partnerships.

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS 2026:
- Preparations for the upcoming Local Government Elections—expected between 2 November 2026 and 31 January 2027—are progressing smoothly.
- The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) are jointly coordinating efforts to ensure peaceful and efficient elections.
- With over 500 registered political parties, the elections are seen as a critical moment to rebuild local governance and address municipal service delivery failures.

EDUCATION AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT:

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT EXPANSION:
- More than 527,000 placements will be available at TVET colleges in 2026, strengthening practical, work-ready training aligned with industry needs.
HIGHER EDUCATION STABILITY:
- A dedicated “War Room” has been established for the 2026 academic year to ensure operational readiness across the post-school education sector.
- The proposed 2026 school calendar has also been finalised.
RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS:
- Ten exceptional graduates from South Africa and Botswana have been awarded full Rhodes Scholarships to pursue postgraduate studies at Oxford University in 2026.
JOB CREATION DIALOGUE:
- A major summit scheduled for March 2026 will focus on creating 5 million formal-sector jobs within the next decade—one of the most pressing national priorities.

TOURISM AND MAJOR EVENTS:

NEW RESORT DEVELOPMENT:
- The highly anticipated Club Med South Africa beach resort will open in July 2026, signalling international investor confidence in the local tourism sector.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES:
- South Africa will host several major events, including the 12th AFIIA Conference in May 2026, with confirmed international participation.

SPORTING EXCELLENCE:

RUGBY:
- HISTORIC ALL BLACKS TOUR:
  - New Zealand will return for a full tour of South Africa in August–September 2026—the first since 1996. It will include eight matches:
    - Four Test Matches against the Springboks.
    - Four mid-week matches against the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, and Lions.
- NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026:
  - South Africa will compete in the inaugural global Nations Championship:
    - Home fixtures: England, Scotland, Wales
    - Away fixtures: Italy, France, Ireland (November 2026)
FOOTBALL (SOCCER):
- BAFANA BAFANA:
  - South Africa’s men’s national team has officially qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
- BANYANA BANYANA:
  - South Africa’s women’s team has qualified for WAFCON 2026 in Morocco and will seek to reclaim the continental title won in 2022.
OTHER SPORTS:
- COMRADES MARATHON:
  - Entries for the 2026 “Up Run” sold out faster than ever before, demonstrating strong national and international interest.
- LIV GOLF:
  - South Africa will host its first LIV Golf tournament at Steyn City in 2026, featuring renowned local golfers such as Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace.
- HOCKEY:
  - Both national men’s and women’s teams qualified for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cups after dominating the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
- NETBALL:
  - South African netball stars continue to excel in the UK Netball Super League, contributing to the sport’s development ahead of future international competitions.

CULTURAL LANDSCAPE AND GLOBAL POSITIONING:

VENICE BIENNALE 2026:
- South Africa will participate in the 61st International Art Exhibition in Venice, showcasing national artistic excellence through a transparent, collaborative model managed by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and Art Periodic South Africa.
WORLD SKATE GAMES 2028 BID:
- The country is considering a bid to host the 2028 World Skate Games—an opportunity to promote Africa’s rapidly growing youth skating culture.
CULTURAL TOURISM GROWTH:
- With the opening of Club Med’s first South African resort, Zulu culture will be prominently showcased to international audiences, further boosting cultural tourism.
CULTURAL DIPLOMACY:
- South Africa and Switzerland have signed a significant education and cultural restitution declaration, paving the way for enhanced cooperation and knowledge-sharing.

While South Africa continues to confront deep-rooted challenges, 2026 offers a horizon of renewed possibility.

From economic recovery and political preparedness to social development, global sporting representation, and cultural achievement, the year ahead brings meaningful progress that deserves recognition.

Specialised Security Services encourages South Africans to remain informed, vigilant,

and hopeful as the nation advances towards a stronger, more resilient future.

Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.

This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.

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