“The Electricity Regulation Amendment Act of 2024 established open grid access and a competitive wholesale electricity market, ending Eskom’s near-total monopoly. Self-generation capacity surged fivefold after 2021 to more than 6GW.”

“In rail, 11 private freight operators were announced in 2025 as having met requirements to run services across Transnet’s network, introducing the most significant structural reform in a sector that has been haemorrhaging capacity for a decade.”

“The 2024 Water Services Amendment Act introduced a mandate for public-private partnerships, with a dedicated water partnerships office at the Development Bank to facilitate private capital.”

“Municipal barriers to solar grid connection remain patchy and slow for myriad reasons, including it being a competitive threat.”

“The National Health Insurance Act, signed while other areas were liberalising, moves sharply in the opposite direction, with many private providers concerned it will curtail private sector sustainability, which, in practice, serves not only the wealthy but about 28% of the population, including many uninsured, low-income patients who pay out of pocket.”

“The South African Post Office was placed under business rescue in 2023 and lost R2.17bn in its 2024 financial year.”

“In December 2025 a directive was eventually issued to end the Post Office’s 25-year exclusivity over parcels under 1kg.”

“The SAA privatization deal collapsed after three years of negotiation in 2024, with analysts noting persistent reluctance to relinquish control of state enterprises even when those enterprises were destroying public value.”

“Eskom’s objection to the granting of new electricity trading licences has shaken confidence in full reform of the market.”