From survive to thrive: Five moves every CEO must make now

SOUTH African CEOs are navigating one of the toughest business landscapes in decades. Growth is projected at just 1.4% in 2025, constrained by chronic infrastructure failure, rising input costs, trade shifts and mounting regulatory pressure.

- 

Yet history shows that periods of disruption often spark innovation. Companies that embraced digitalisation during the pandemic are reaping the rewards. Businesses that embedded energy early are now better shielded from double-digit tariff hikes. Retailers that pivoted quickly to e-commerce have captured market share while peers scrambled.

So how should CEOs respond to turn 2025's turbulence into lasting competitiveness? Five priorities stand out.

1. Secure energy independence

Energy independence is no longer just about cost savings. It’s about business continuity and maintaining investor and customer trust. In South Africa, unplanned outages regularly remove power to the grid.

For CEOs, the lesson is clear. Energy is not an input to be managed, but a strategic asset. Businesses that act early will turn volatility into competitive advantage.

2. Defend margins through efficiency

With inflation, fuel, labour and logistics costs climbing, defending margins requires efficiency as a core business discipline. At one Western Cape cold-chain facility, for example, a retrofit halved energy waste and cut net consumption by nearly 30% while improving throughput.