When considering the ‘big five’ steel-producing nations of the world, several spring to mind: China, Japan, USA, Russia and South Korea. The ‘big five’ in South Africa are not steel producers, but are the five most sought-after animals by safari fans. The Republic of South Africa will not make the ‘big five’ when it comes to steel production figures. In fact, with crude steel production of 9.493 metric tons in 2005, South Africa was ranked the 19th largest crude steel producing country in the world by the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI). And as a net exporting country of primary steel, South Africa was ranked 8th in the world during 2003. However these humble figures seem all the more pertinent when you consider that in 2005, South Africa was, once again, the continent’s largest crude steel producer, responsible for some 53% of total crude steel production in Africa. Scratching the surface of this adolescent nation, which is still enjoying its relatively new-found economic, social and political freedom reveals a dynamic industry, housing some of the most efficient and ambitious players in the world, not to mention an industry that has recently seen huge changes in the business environment.