Management

In today’s South African corporate landscape, shaped by governance scrutiny, activist shareholders, geopolitical volatility, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) pressure and rapid technological disruption, the role of the CEO has changed fundamentally. Boards are no longer looking for steady operators. They are looking for strategic architects of resilience, growth and trust. Achieving CEO excellence is now essential.

The 2026 national budget did not introduce significant headline tax increases. However, the 2026 national budget implemented structural threshold adjustments that materially affect succession planning. These adjustments also affect retirement modelling, estate liquidity analysis and business exit calculations for Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) owners.

The 2026 National Budget Speech was delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on 25 February. He delivered the 2026 budget speech against a backdrop of complex fiscal trade-offs. South Africa continues to face high debt-servicing costs. As a result, the government’s capacity to act as the primary buffer against economic shocks has become more constrained. Therefore, the 2026 budget speech highlights the growing importance of shared responsibility across the broader economy.

More than one million South Africans now live abroad. In addition, 43% say they do not plan to return permanently, according to the South African Diaspora Report for 2026. For decades, skilled professionals have left to pursue greater opportunity and long-term career progression. As a result, the country’s skills base has shrunk, and economic competitiveness has weakened.

South Africa’s 2026 National Budget has delivered targeted SME relief for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This includes a significant increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) registration threshold. It also introduces enhanced capital gains tax exemptions for qualifying business owners.

The recent resignation of Angelo Swartz, CEO of Spar, marks a refreshing break from corporate tradition. By leading with candour and sincerity, Swartz delivered a masterclass in transparency. He moved beyond the usual PR-scrubbed departures that dominate executive exits.

Recent commentary has created confusion around professional qualifications, regulatory designations and pathways into the Registered Auditor (RA) profession. As such, we wish to clarify the distinction between the Chartered Accountant (SA) [CA(SA)] designation, the registration of auditors by the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA) and other qualifications with professional bodies.

As South Africa prepares for the National Budget Speech later this month, attention is turning to whether government commitments to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will receive fiscal support and implementation details. These elements are required to unlock real economic impact.

The era of corporate governance as a mere compliance exercise is over. New regulatory frameworks, exemplified by the new King V Report on Corporate Governance (King V), take effect on 1 January 2026. These frameworks fundamentally transform how businesses make strategic decisions, allocate capital and manage risk. King V is not a compliance update; it reshapes governance as a strategic and operational imperative.

Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is not a business book, yet its lessons resonate deeply in today’s workplaces. From fear-driven leadership to purpose-led performance, the story offers powerful insights for employers navigating trust, control and growth in an evolving world of work.