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Brand South Africa's news resource for journalists. New stories every day that you can use in your publication.

Research & Analysis

South Africa’s global reputation is shaped by perceptions of: Investment & Immigration policies and environment; Exports; People; Culture & Heritage; Governance; and Tourism. In order to understand domestic trends, and how these shape international perceptions of South Africa and its global reputation, Brand South Africa commissions, and subscribes to several research instruments.

Brand South Africa’s Research Notes and Working Papers intend to inform Brand South Africa’s stakeholders and partners on South Africa’s reputation, and competitiveness. In keeping with Brand South Africa’s international and domestic mandates, the working papers provide insight into issues that impact on the South African psyche, national pride, and international reputation. The research notes are essentially analytical pieces that highlight trends in reports on South Africa generated by external agencies, institutes and multilateral organisations. The research notes also aim to highlight key findings, and to share research from studies commissioned by Brand South Africa with stakeholders and the nation.

For more information on Brand South Africa’s Research Notes & Working Papers, please contact:
Dr. Petrus de Kock, Research Manager, Brand South Africa
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
tel: +27 (0)11 712 5000

South Africa's performance in the World Bank, Doing Business Index

World Bank, Doing business in a more transparent world, Doing Business Report 2013

South Africa sees a slight decline in its performance this year. This is a result not so much of the country performing worse, it is a result of some other countries moving up the ranking ladder by improving doing business conditions at a faster pace than South Africa.
This year’s report notes that among the 50 economies with the biggest improvements since 2005 (a third) are in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Analysis [PDF, 85Kb]

Key issues from Mo Ibrahim Index 2012

The Mo Ibrahim Index, currently in its 6th year, released its annual report on African governance on the 15th of October 2012. This year South Africa remains in the fifth position it has occupied since the index launched in 2006.

In terms of the methodology the Mo Ibrahim Foundation deploys it is necessary to note that it is a composite index. The index is constructed by combining underlying indicators in a standardised way to provide a statistical measure of governance performance in African countries.

Key Issues [PDF, 383Kb]

WEF Competitiveness Roundtable

Roundtable discussion held at the University of the Witwatersrand, on Friday, 28th September 2012.

This year South Africa ranks at number 52 out of 144 nations surveyed for this year’s report. South Africa is the highest-ranked African country and third-placed among the BRICS economies. This working paper highlights some of the strengths and weaknesses in South Africa’s performance. In addition it presents some of the key issues discussed during the roundtable.

Working Papers [PDF, 744Kb]

The BRICS Development Bank – How will it support African business and regional integration?

Roundtable discussion held at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Sandton, on Tuesday, 25th September 2012.

Taking into account the rather unsatisfying track record of the Bretton Woods Institutions to address the needs of developing countries, and the institutions’ inability to find appropriate and effective solutions to the global financial crisis, the concept of a BRICS Development Bank – the proposal which was made at the 4th BRICS Leaders Summit in New Delhi in March 2012 – presents the opportunity for emerging economies to reshape the global financial architecture and to contribute to the reform of these institutions.

Although the concept of a BRICS Development Bank is still being studied by a working group of the BRICS Finance Ministers, there are expectations, that the formation of such a bank could assist the African continent to realise much needed infrastructure projects and unlock the continent’s economic potential.

Discussion document [PDF 200Kb]

 
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Marketing Material

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Play Your Part

Play your Part
Play Your Part is a national initiative by Brand South Africa, powered by the organisation ForGood, to encourage all South Africans to contribute to positive change in the country, to become involved – to simply play a part.