PwC's South African Economic Outlook 2024 report has outlined major challenges facing businesses in the country. The report has outlined how financial troubles coupled with the growing demands on the state and available fiscal resources have placed pressure on the government. With structural challenges like load-shedding, high levels of unemployment and the scourge of crime , South Africa is seeing short-term crises manifesting in five areas such as macroeconomic volatility, disrupted supply chains, scarcity in resources, challenges to accessing healthcare services and struggling public institutions. The report also shows that from 2019 to 2023, more South Africans have avoided using government services due to the state's inability to deliver quality. To unpack and analyse these key points, Sakina Kamwendo spoke to economist and senior manager at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Xhanti Payi