Legal updates and opinions
Post Author
News / News
Governance Reforms for Listed Companies
by Kevin Trudgeon, Director and Helena Stoop, Senior Knowledge Lawyer
Listed companies in South Africa are facing a rapidly changing governance landscape. Three key instruments namely, the revised JSE Listings Requirements which took effect on 16 February 2026, the King V Code of Corporate Governance launched in October 2025, and amendments to the Companies Act promulgated in 2024 shape the regulatory framework under which boards must operate.
Although these three instruments address similar key aspects of corporate governance, they differ in purpose, scope and enforceability. This note offers an overview of governance obligations arising under the Companies Act, the JSE Listings Requirements, and King V. It highlights both points of alignment and areas of divergence, with particular focus on board composition, director independence, nomination and election processes, the roles of key officers, and the structure and functioning of board committees.
Each topic is discussed in light of recent developments, and the analysis is complemented by a comparative table that consolidates the requirements currently applicable to listed companies in South Africa.
Download the comparative guide here.
Latest News
Achieving meaningful access to medicines: a patient-centric approach – the next healthcare debate
Access to medicines Access to medicines may be a challenge for patients requiring access to innovative medicines where the costs [...]
Uber drivers’ long and bumpy ride to becoming workers
by Sandile July, Director; Lloyd Abraham, Director; Sandile Tom, Director; and Lisa Appelgryn, Senior Associate 1. This article explores the [...]
Business Rescue Practitioners – mind the trap!
by Roxanne Webster, Senior Associate and Siyabonga Galela, Candidate Attorney Reviewed by Eric Levenstein, Director and Lauren Becker, Director Introduction [...]
Shareholder “divorce” – is dissolution of the company a viable remedy?
by Rachel Winterbach, Candidate Attorney reviewed by Pierre le Roux, Director and Jarryd Mardon, Senior Associate It occurs in [...]
Duchess of Sussex, Privacy and POPIA
by Ahmore Burger-Smidt, Director and Head of Data Privacy Practice and member of Competition Law Practice; and Nyiko Mathebula, Candidate [...]
Minister Patel clarifies his views on employee share ownership programmes and Broad Based Ownership Schemes but uncertainty continues
by Pieter Steyn, Director and Head of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Practice A new Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment [...]
