Finance & Equity

A sudden medical emergency nearly cost my life. However, thanks to prudent financial planning, hospital bills became the least of my worries. I used to think I had time and health on my side. I trained hard, stayed active and monitored my health closely. By most measures, I was doing what people are supposed to do. Then, one evening in November 2022, after a completely ordinary day, my body gave way without warning.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) role has moved decisively beyond compliance. In a volatile, data-driven economy, finance leaders must now shape strategy, guide decisions and help businesses respond to disruption in real time. The shift is clear. CFOs no longer only report numbers. Instead, they interpret them and explain what could happen next.

Payroll regulations keep pace with a fast-moving and complex world. This keeps payroll professionals on their toes. PwC's Payroll Complexity Survey highlighted this trend last year. It wrote that "payroll regulations are evolving more rapidly and payroll compliance is coming under increasing scrutiny by government and tax authorities".

South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition published revised merger notification thresholds and filing fees under the Competition Act 89 of 1998 (Competition Act). These changes take effect on 1 May 2026. The updated thresholds raise turnover and asset values. These values determine whether a transaction qualifies as a small, intermediate or large merger. As a result, some deals previously requiring mandatory notification may now fall below the filing threshold.

The South African Reserve Bank’s Prudential Authority (PA) has confirmed its intention to derecognise Moody’s Investors Service South Africa as an eligible external credit assessment institution (ECAI). The regulator has also introduced a 24-month transition period that will run until April 2028.

In 2029, tokenised transactions are expected to double in value from $283 billion in 2025 to $574 billion. This market growth largely stems from the rapid rise of mobile payments, digital transformation and expanding ecommerce activity. In addition, security, personalisation and privacy continue driving adoption. While tokenisation applies easily across multiple industries, retailers increasingly use it to secure transactions.

The amount South African residents can send offshore without South African Revenue Service (SARS) clearance has remained unchanged since 2011. However, that is about to change. On 25 February, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that the Single Discretionary Allowance (SDA) will increase from R1 million to R2 million per person each calendar year.

There’s a disconnect in many businesses right now. IT teams face pressure to deliver refresh cycles, upgrades and infrastructure rollouts on schedule. At the same time, CFOs must control costs and protect cash flow. On paper, both groups are doing exactly what they should do. However, the numbers they work with no longer reflect reality. Most IT budgets today rely on assumptions that no longer hold.

From ceasefires to blockades, the world continues to feel increasingly unpredictable. Headlines remain dominated by conflict in the Middle East, rising geopolitical tension and markets reacting in real time. When the world feels uncertain, people naturally ask one question: Should I stay, or should I go?

April’s Financial Literacy Month provides an opportunity to reflect on progress. It also highlights where the next phase of financial inclusion must focus. While access remains foundational, the real challenge lies in outcomes. Specifically, credit must deliver sustainable and positive results for consumers. Over the past decade, South Africa has expanded access to financial services. This progress has strengthened financial inclusion across the country.