industry perspective
Pressure, purpose and possibility
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Sassda
MICHEL BASSON Executive Director michel@sassda.co.za
CALLUM SUTHERLAND Members & Communication callum@sassda.co.za MANKABE MORE Education & Training mankabe@sassda.co.za
There’s no sugar-coating it: the global trade environment is tightening, and South Africa is feeling the squeeze. This issue digs into the complexity of tariffs and trade barriers that have become front-page concerns. With the threat of new U.S. tariffs on key South African exports, including stainless steel components tied to the automotive and agricultural sectors, we’re no longer talking hypotheticals. We’re staring down decisions that affect jobs, market access, and the future of industrial investment. At the same time, uncertainty still hangs over the ArcelorMittal long-products division. A state-backed intervention has bought some time and saved thousands of jobs for now, but the bigger questions remain unanswered. Many across the sector are holding off on major investment decisions, waiting for policy clarity and strategic direction. And yet, in this tension lies opportunity. Europe has reaffirmed its support for South Africa, and regional markets across Africa present openings we’d be wise not to overlook. That’s why we’ve put Angola in focus for this issue’s African Country Profile. With AGOA on shaky ground and traditional markets increasingly complex, it’s time to get serious about intra-African trade, not just as a Plan B, but as a core part of our growth strategy. In contrast to the big-picture trade stories, we also zoom in on what makes this industry adaptable: technical insight and material intelligence. Our article on stainless steel’s role in South Africa’s water infrastructure crisis is a case in point. With nearly half of the country’s water systems rated high or critical risk, there’s simply no room for short-term fixes. Stainless steel, with its durability and corrosion resistance, is more than just a smart choice - it’s a necessary one if we’re to build infrastructure that lasts. Welcome to the second issue of Stainless Steel magazine for 2025. As we move further into a year already marked by both pressure and possibility, this edition brings together sharp insights and grounded optimism. Whether you’ve been with us since our relaunch in 2020 or are are reading our magazine for the first time, we hope you find this edition not only relevant but resonant.
TEBOGO NKWE Market Intelligence & Lobbying Tebogo@sassda.co.za KIM STEVENS Events, Email Marketing and Website kstevens@sassda.co.za
JOSE HERON Accounts jose@sassda.co.za
LUISE ALLEMANN Content, Social Media and the Stainless Steel Magazine luise@mediaink.co.za
The Stainless steel magazine is published quarterly and is distributed to stockists, distributors, fabricators, specifiers, consulting engineers, architects, mining, petrochemical and chemical industries, food beverage and pharmaceutical industries, consumer outlets, end-users, educational institutes and provincial and government departments. Sassda makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the contents of its publications, but no warranty is made as to such accuracy and no responsibility will be borne by the publisher or Sassda for the consequences of any actions based on information so published. All opinions, views and expressions contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the management of Sassda. The contents of this publication enjoy positive protection under the Copyright Act and therefore copyright thereof is expressly reserved. Any copying, publication and distribution of part or whole of the publication is prohibited unless consent is granted by Sassda.
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Issue 2 – 2025
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