The year is almost done and dusted, and many of us are already thinking about a few days and weeks to grab some well-earned rest. After a hard year, even thinking about planning for 2026 seems a bridge too far.
Yet 2025, with all its challenges, has also held some glimmers that we would do well to remember and value as we go into 2026.
Let’s start the new year, remembering some “old” things.
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SA Moving Out of Grey Listing
South Africa officially exited the Financial Action Task Force grey list as of October 24, 2025. The country was removed from the list of “Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring” after addressing all 22 action items in its agreed action plan to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems.
This achievement is a testament to committed leadership over many years to address the 22 action items. Good news indeed, as it will have a knock on effect for entrepreneurs in terms of stability and attractiveness.
2. Unexpected View (and Value) of Ubuntu from the G20 Gathering
President Ramaphosa recently acknowledged how others viewed the G20 summit.
Delegates from across the globe spoke glowingly about the unique hospitality they experienced throughout South Africa.
A German representative described the warmth as unlike anything he had seen on six continents.
A Japanese delegate said visitors were treated “like welcomed family, not foreign dignitaries,” while a French participant offered one of the most powerful reflections: “We came to discuss economic frameworks, but what we will remember is how your people made us feel.”
That is real power. For Ramaphosa, these sentiments revealed South Africa’s greatest asset – Ubuntu – which he described as “a currency no economy can print.”
3. Eskom Delivering a Profit for the First Time in 8 Years.
Eskom’s first-half profit climbed 36% as South Africa’s state-owned-power utility stabilises supply and looks ahead to undertake a major transmission expansion and add a renewable-energy division.
Eskom has stabilised the grid, increased the reliability of its plants by making overdue repairs, and ended years of frequent power cuts that crimped economic growth. (Courtesy Money web).
Yes, there are still many serious challenges to this SOE. But let’s not overlook this glimmer of light (pun intended) as we move into the new year!
4. SA being Recognised as the Country with the Strongest Entrepreneurial Mindset
A new global study by Remitly has ranked South Africa as the country with the strongest entrepreneurial mindset, placing us firmly in the number one spot, ahead of 25 other nations including the UK, Ireland, India and the USA.
Using the internationally recognised Grit Scale developed by psychologist Angela Duckworth, the study surveyed over 7,000 people to measure passion and perseverance – the two qualities most closely tied to entrepreneurial success. (Courtesy The Good things Guy).
By the way, you can access this assessment for free to understand where you stand in terms of grit. https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-scale/
5. The Springboks Capping off a Stellar Year with an Unbeaten Northern Hemisphere Tour
Let’s dig into the final glimmer, the Springboks, and the lessons that can take us into 2026:
- It takes time to build something meaningful
When Rassie Erasmus took on the leadership of the springboks in 2018, they were ranked eighth in the world and were winning 50% of their games. Support was also wavering and uncertain. Fast forward to December 2025, the Boks are back-to-back world champions; successful defenders of the Rugby championship; ranked number 1 in the world and more importantly, galvanised a fan base across the board.
The lesson? Success rarely comes quickly and usually happens with a compelling long-term vision. Let’s not only look at the here and now, but also at what may be still to come.
The 2023 world cup was where the Springboks demonstrated resilience and grit. Losing key players early; facing the toughest opponents in the quarters, semi’s and final. Winning by one point in each truly shows resilience and grit that South Africans are known for.
The lesson? As entrepreneurs, let’s tap into this great strength. “Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.”- Steve Maraboli.
- Innovation and creativity
Entrepreneurs need to be creative and innovative. As Theodore Levitt puts it: “Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.”
The Boks have consistently led creativity and innovation with their now famous “bomb squad”; hybrid players and in field rucks.
The lesson? It takes a little extra, to make the ordinary extra ordinary. Explore more; ask questions consistently and remain curious.
- Making a way “We don’t just dream – Ons maak n plan!”
In the end of the year tour, the Bok’s were reduced to 14 men on two occasions. First against France and then against Italy. It should have swung the match in favor of the opponents. Instead, the Bok’s “made a plan” and secured significant wins.
The lesson? As Roger Crawford quips: “Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.” Don’t allow difficulties to define the new year.
In Chasing the Sun 2, Rassie Erasmus shared this line “We know what they don’t know”. He was referring to the many struggles that ordinary South Africans face every day, and the Springboks embrace this, wearing the jersey with pride and playing with hope for the country.
They have made their “why” South Africa. Not only world cup victories, but the reason they do it. Simply for South Africa.
The lesson? Difficulties; challenges; fatigue and discouragement will come on your entrepreneurial journey. It becomes a little clearer, a little more compelling when you have settled on your why. For me, I want to add hope to as many entrepreneurs as I can.
May you look back on 2025 with some appreciation of the glimmers, and look forward to 2026 with greater anticipation of growth.
