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IOL News
20 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
The Economic Impact of Cricket in South Africa: Insights from CSA
Cricket South Africa (CSA) said the sport of cricket plays a huge role in contributing to the South African GDP, tourism, and economy. Image: AFP Cricket South Africa (CSA) said the sport of cricket plays a huge role in contributing to the South African GDP, tourism, and economy. Speaking to the Business Report, CSA said that India's tour to South Africa in the 2024/2025 season created a big economic boost. CSA believes that the Proteas' recent victory in the ICC World Test Championship will further elevate the sport in the country. The Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA) has also welcomed the role of cricket in growing hospitality and tourism. Edward Khoza, Executive, Domestic Cricket (CSA), said that cricket plays a vital part in our economy, especially in transport, playing equipment, maintenance of infrastructure, and keeping individuals employed (especially coaches who operate one-on-one coaching and private academy landscapes). 'With the results that the Proteas Test Team has attained, there will be an enhanced positiveness towards the game, which will benefit all these markets.' Wanele Mngomezulu, Chief Marketing Officer (CSA), said that cricket plays a huge contribution in drawing international fans to South Africa, contributing to sports tourism. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'According to BDO, the direct, indirect, and induced economic impact was approximately R218 million for the recent SA vs India inbound tour. The total contribution to the national government via various taxes amounted to R14 million.' Mngomezulu added that the total number of full-time equivalent employment created/sustained was approximately 405. 'Skills level breakdown (Skilled – 61; Semi-skilled – 137; Unskilled / low – 67; and Informal – 140). The total direct expenditure generated by the event amounted to R75 million. In total, i.e., the direct, indirect, and induced economic impact of the event for South Africa was approximately R218 million.' Enoch Nkwe, Director: National Teams and High Performance (CSA), said that every tournament that a South African team wins and becomes world champions has a huge positive impact on South Africa. 'The team's achievements have helped restore belief and confidence in the country and have also provided a foundation for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. We hope this success will give us an opportunity to attract more Test matches in the next FTP cycle (2027–2031).' Khoza added that the impact of the win was felt immediately by those who were in London to support the team and those who received the team at OR Tambo upon their return. 'Many school-going kids participating at various levels of our pathway shared how the win inspires their desire and commitment to the game. The national players are now regarded as heroes and role models for the game – they have inspired people who follow cricket to take up bat and ball in a positive way with the long-term ambitions of following in their heroes' footsteps.' Rosemary Anderson, Fedhasa National Chairperson, said that cricket is immensely important to tourism. 'Events like the recent South Africa vs India tour bring in large numbers of international visitors who spend on accommodation, dining, transport, and experiences - directly benefitting thousands of businesses across the tourism value chain. The figures from the BDO are compelling numbers that show how cricket can be a job creator and a revenue booster. But the impact goes even further. International visitors often come for the cricket and stay for South Africa. Our country has one of the highest tourism return rates globally. Visitors fall in love with our landscapes, culture, and hospitality. It's not uncommon for someone who first visits to support their team to return later with family or friends for a broader leisure holiday. ' Anderson added that more international cricket fixtures are directly linked to more inbound travel. 'Hotels fill up, restaurants are booked, transport companies benefit, and tour operators see increased activity. But just as importantly, the media coverage of these events gives South Africa positive exposure on a global scale - showcasing our stadiums, cities, and natural beauty to millions of viewers. This kind of destination marketing, coupled with actual visitor arrivals, creates both short-term and long-term returns. Globally, the value of sports tourism is immense, contributing over 10% of global tourism spending according to UNWTO estimates. Anderson said that their recent win boosts national pride and positions South Africa as a cricket powerhouse - encouraging more international tours and tests here. 'Hosting the 2027 World Cup is even more significant. It offers us a golden opportunity to package and promote our country to a global audience, drive up arrivals, and attract investment in tourism infrastructure.' Following the conclusion of the third season of the Betway SA20 cricket competition in South Africa in February, League Commissioner Graeme Smith said that Season 3 of the Betway SA20 has been an absolute game-changer. 'This is the third year running that we have seen unprecedented growth across broadcast, attendance, and digital platforms; we have really made a mark as one of the leading sport and entertainment brands in the country. Globally, our numbers continue to increase and support our vision of being the biggest T20 cricket league outside of India.' BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
The Star
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Beyond the smoke in South Africa's energy revolution
Just over 74% of South Africa's electricity still comes from burning coal. In 2021, the country negotiated the Just Energy Transition Partnership with Germany, the UK, France, the US and the European Union. They committed to providing South Africa with US$8.5 billion (R157 billion) to move away from coal to renewable energy. (In March 2025, US president Donald Trump withdrew the US and its share of the funding, about US$1.5 billion, or R27.7 billion, from the arrangement.) Researcher Nqobile Xaba talks to The Conversation Africa about how the partnership is going. What has the partnership done so far? After its launch in 2021, the Just Energy Transition Partnership attracted additional pledges from the Netherlands, Denmark, Canada, Spain and Switzerland. The total amount pledged is now US$11.8 billion (R218 billion). Though the US has pulled out, the other partners remain committed to fulfilling the funding they've promised. In fact, financing has begun to flow in. South Africa has come up with a Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan that sets out what is needed and how much it will cost to achieve a low carbon economy. The plan also sets out what is needed to build South Africa's ability to cope with global warming. It also proposes ways to create quality jobs, set up a stable energy supply, and boost economic growth. To date, US$583 million (R10.8 billion) has been allocated to just energy transition projects. A publicly available register is keeping track of how money is spent. South Africa is investing the funds in six focus areas: the electricity sector; green hydrogen; new energy vehicles; skills development; a just transition away from coal in Mpumalanga; and municipal capacity. The initial funds have been used to pay for: Studies into the technical, economic, environmental and social aspects of decommissioning coal-fired power plants Building infrastructure, such as upgrading and expanding electricity transmission infrastructure to enable large-scale grid uptake of renewable energy Training municipalities to begin planning local level renewable energy projects Community development and meetings. The plan is focused on parts of South Africa that are currently almost entirely dependent on coal mining. For example, money has been allocated to projects that will support new forms of industry in Mpumalanga, a province where 12 collieries are based. This recognises that people and businesses in coal regions are vulnerable. They'll bear the brunt of the transition. What has worked well? Progress has been made in policy and regulatory reforms to support the energy transition. For example, the South African government is reforming the energy sector through the energy action plan, the country's national energy security roadmap. The reforms include allowing the private sector to generate electricity without a licence. They also include approving a new renewable energy masterplan that aims to set up green industries and jobs in renewable energy system production. These policy reforms have been designed to attract investments into large scale renewable energy development. In climate policy, the Climate Change Act was passed in July 2024. It aims to make sure that climate change is incorporated in all government strategies and plans. This will enable different government departments to have one co-ordinated response to combating climate change. What are some of the apparent challenges? First, transitioning to renewable energy needs to be accompanied by economic diversification. This simply means that sectors that support the economy, like agriculture, manufacturing and the services industry, need to be involved in the transition. Second, South Africa has three huge socio-economic challenges: poverty, inequality and unemployment. There is therefore a need to make sure the energy transition creates decent work for people. Third, social protection for the most vulnerable people must be widened. South Africa has a well established social protection system. But it needs to be strengthened with measures like a universal basic income grant. This would support people who might lose their jobs in the energy transition. Fourth, South Africa's energy insecurity is a major challenge. The country's coal fleet is not performing at its full capacity and can't meet the energy needs for the country. Intermittent power cuts have resulted. The renewable energy industry is still being developed. It cannot address this energy shortfall right now, since only about 8.8% of installed capacity comes from renewables (wind, solar photovoltaic panels and concentrated solar power). To minimise the power cuts, three coal plants that were scheduled to close by 2027 are now going to stay open until 2030. This delays the transition away from coal-fired power. Fifth, state capacity needs attention. For example, ministerial oversight – who is responsible for what – needs to be clarified. Frameworks are needed that will set out how the transition is managed, monitored and evaluated. Finally, collaboration is important. When rolling out renewable energy projects, the roles of all the social partners (community, labour, government, women and business) need to be made clear and explicit. What still needs to be done? A people centred approach needs to be adopted. This means involving all citizens and making sure solutions are found in which all people's livelihoods are conserved. A just energy transition should not simply be a shift to a low carbon energy system and economy. Rather, it must foster green industrial development, while prioritising the well-being of all South Africa's citizens, especially society's most impoverished communities, which bear no material responsibility for the problem. The implementation of the just energy transition needs strong local government (municipalities). They have to be able to carry out the transition to renewable energy because in South Africa, they are the custodians of service delivery. But ageing electricity and water systems that malfunction regularly and a lack of money to fix them will need to be resolved. The implementation of a just energy transition that leaves no one behind won't be able to happen without this.
