Thousands of jobs at risk as manufacturers in South Africa come under siege

• Thousands of jobs are at risk as manufacturers in South Africa face intense competition from low-priced imports, leading to lower profitability and operating losses.
• Sappi, a major paper supplier in South Africa, reported an operating loss of approximately R2.77 billion for the three months ended June 2026, due to lower sales volumes and exchange rate movements.
• The South African government has launched an investigation into the importation of paper products, with companies like Sappi and Mondi urging the implementation of tariffs to safeguard the domestic industry and protect jobs.