IRMSA Risk Report – South Africa Risks 2015
The first annual Institute of Risk Management South Africa’s (IRMSA) South Africa Risks Report 2015 has been compiled within a specific context – that of a country still reeling from political and economic turmoil.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) on 29 July 2014 announced the end of a 5-month platinum sector strike by 80,000 workers which resulted in a fall of nearly 25% in mining production. South Africa’s credit rating was downgraded by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Moody’s. The country’s outlook was shifted from stable to negative by Fitch Ratings, meaning that the country is a single notch away from junk status. The South African government continued to experience difficulties to meet the expectations of the population in terms of the fight against unemployment, poverty and corruption, potentially giving rise to increased social instability. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) slashed its economic growth forecast for South Africa by 0,3 percentage points to only 1,4% for 2014 and by 0,4 percentage points to 2,3% for 2015, suggesting that the sustainability of the country’s economy is under severe pressure.