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 meaning of ‘company’ and its implications for section 75 of the Companies Act
by Cari Cole-Morgan, Director, Julian van Niekerk, Director and Kiera Bracher, Candidate Attorney The meaning of 'company' It now appears [...]
Loadshedding – what should employers know?
by Jacques Van Wyk, Director, Michiel Heyns, Senior Associate and Danelle Plaatjies, Candidate Attorney The recent announcement of the resumption [...]
Private Public Partnerships and the inescapable ties of Section 217
by Sarah Moerane, Director and, Koketso Rapoo, Candidate Attorney "contracts for goods and services" - A phrase that, on the [...]
The Eastern Cape High Court Judgment that created seismic waves
by Kyra South, Senior Associate and Thembelihle Tshabalala, Candidate Attorney. Reviewed by Chris Stevens, Director and Head of Mining and [...]
Small mergers in digital markets are on the Competition Commission’s radar
by Dominique Arteiro, Director, and Sandiso Dhlomo, Candidate Attorney Guidelines on small merger notification The Competition Commission of South Africa [...]
Invitation for written representations regarding the national minimum wage
by Jacques van Wyk, Director, Andre van Heerden, Senior Associate, and Danelle Plaatjies, Candidate Attorney On 9 September 2022, the Chairperson of [...]
