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
The right of access to housing and its applicability to citizens or non-citizens
By Anele Ngidi, Director and Thomas Karberg, Candidate Attorney The latter part of 2019 was marred by a series of [...]
Proposed new interest deductibility limitation rules
By Robyn Armstrong, Director Interest payments are generally viewed as an ordinary business expense which are deductible in determining taxable [...]
Goal or yellow card – Inter Miami vs Inter Milan
By Donvay Wegierski, Director At the time of writing, events worldwide are being cancelled or postponed in an effort to [...]
Amendment to national minimum wage and sectoral determination minimum wages
By Jacques van Wyk, Director, Andre van Heerden, Senior Associate and Thabisa Yantolo, Candidate Attorney On 17 February 2020 the [...]
An employee’s duty to disclose information when applying for employment
By Jacques van Wyk, Director, Andre van Heerden, Senior Associate and Thabisa Yantolo, Candidate Attorney Issue Whether an employee who [...]
A brief retrospective on two cases about UIF and asylum seekers
By Dakalo Singo, Director Introduction The end of February 2020 marks the anniversary of an important court victory which confirmed [...]
