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A Measured Outlook for 2026
EMAIL info@sassda.co.za WEBSITE www.sassda.co.za
Sassda
MICHEL BASSON Executive Director michel@sassda.co.za
Since then, our gloomy outlook has shifted somewhat. While the world remains in turmoil, we see Eskom sitting with surplus energy, albeit at a very high cost to consumers. It seems the GNU is doing good work, interest rates are lower, the rand is stronger, and the economic forecast for the country is slowly improving. Against this backdrop Sassda has still faced its fair share of hurdles. We recently bid farewell to one of our founding members, Columbus Stainless, which has left the association due to strategic differences. While this marks the end of a long-standing relationship, we respect their decision and acknowledge the incredible role they have played in the development of the South African stainless steel industry. In light of this, Sassda initiated a strategic planning process for the stainless steel industry at the end of 2025, beginning with a stakeholder consultation session in January 2026. The engagement provided valuable input and helped shape the direction for the industry going forward. Alongside this work, the association continues to expand the products and services available to members. This includes new trade-related initiatives and training programmes designed to support local manufacturers and stimulate demand for stainless steel products produced in South Africa. Overall, the association remains focused on identifying and maximising opportunities for members to grow local consumption, increase value addition and support job creation. At the same time, we are reminded that the strength of this industry lies in the people who have helped build it. We were therefore deeply saddened by the passing of Lesley Squires in December 2025. Lesley was a long-time champion of the South African stainless steel industry and contributed tirelessly to its growth over many decades. Her passion and commitment will be remembered by the many people who had the privilege of working alongside her. With this type of contribution in mind, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our members and industry associates for their ongoing support, underpinned by the understanding, that our strength in numbers. Michel Basson, Sassda Executive Director It is a great pleasure to welcome our readers to the first edition of the Sassda Stainless Magazine for 2026. This time last year, our perspective on the year ahead was somewhat bleak. The South African industry had little confidence that uninterrupted energy supply would become a reality. There was mistrust in political ability and will, the economy did not look healthy, and then Donald Trump turned the apple cart over with his trade measures.
CALLUM SUTHERLAND Members & Communication callum@sassda.co.za MANKABE MORE Education & Training mankabe@sassda.co.za
TEBOGO NKWE Market Intelligence & Lobbying Tebogo@sassda.co.za KIM STEVENS Events, Email Marketing and Website kstevens@sassda.co.za
LUISE ALLEMANN Content, Social Media and the Stainless Steel Magazine luise@mediaink.co.za
JOSE HERON Accounts jose@sassda.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 1 – 2026
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