Over 1,900 Businesses Shut Down In South Africa

Loading player...
Dr Eric Levenstein, director and head of the Business Rescue, Restructuring and Insolvency practice at Werksmans Attorneys talks about Stats SA has published the latest liquidation data for South Africa, showing that company liquidations shot up over 30% in December 2022 year on year – although overall closures for the full year were slightly lower than the year before.

According to Stats SA, South Africa saw 159 liquidations in December 2022, up 30.3% from December 2021.

Most of the liquidations were voluntary (V), with only seven being compulsory (C) or ordered closures.

For the full year, 1,907 businesses and companies were liquidated, down from 1,932 that had to shut their doors in 2021.

Most of the businesses that closed in the country were in financing, insurance, real estate, and business services, followed by trade, catering and accommodation.

The community, social, and personal services industries were also hit hard by liquidations – but a large portion of companies that shut down were also unclassified.
24 Jan 2023 1PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

The Second Bond: The Hidden Costs Homebuyers Miss

Jonathan Kohler exposes the “second bond” — the monthly bill homeowners face before paying their actual home loan. From R4,000–R7,000 in Johannesburg and Cape Town to over R11,500 in Umhlanga, we unpack levies, utilities, maintenance, special levies and municipal tariffs that determine true affordability. A must‑listen for buyers, investors and…
1 Jul 1PM 27 min

SA New Vehicle Sales post strongest June result since 2007

South Africa’s new vehicle market delivered a standout June performance despite inflation, fuel price spikes and weaker consumer confidence. Dr Paulina Mamogobo, Chief Economist at NAAMSA, breaks down the domestic resilience, export pressures, shifting macroeconomic signals, and what these trends mean for the industry heading into the second half of…
1 Jul 12PM 20 min

Protests, Politics & State Capacity: What Today’s Unrest Signals

Anti‑immigration protests highlight deep governance failures, rising public frustration and the erosion of state authority. Professor William Gumede unpacks the political economy behind the unrest, the risks to social cohesion, the impact on investor confidence, and why South Africa urgently needs a coordinated, evidence‑based migration strategy.
30 Jun 5PM 22 min

One Labour Market, Three Data Sets: The Real Story Behind Jobs

GDP shows modest growth, QES shows formal job trends, and the QLFS reveals household‑level pressure. Together, they paint a complex picture of South Africa’s labour market. Statistician‑General Risenga Maluleke explains how these data sets interlink, where they diverge, and what they reveal about job creation.
30 Jun 5PM 20 min

SA TAX SEASON 2026 KICKS OFF: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

South Africa’s tax season opens with new rules, new risks and widespread misconceptions. From two‑pot withdrawals taxed at marginal rates to multiple IRP5s, provisional tax surprises and auto‑assessment pitfalls. Stian De Witt from NMG Benefits explains the hidden traps catching ordinary South Africans
30 Jun 5PM 21 min