In This Issue

In South African corporate law, shareholders enjoy extensive rights - but face remarkably few obligations when exercising them. Directors, in contrast, are tightly bound by fiduciary and statutory duties, accountable for every decision they make on behalf of the company. This imbalance raises a critical question: Should shareholders also bear some responsibility - especially when their actions directly shape the strategic direction of a company?

Read our exclusive cover story titled Shareholder rights - power without responsibilities, obligations or duties! by Michael Judin, Partner, Judin Combrinck Inc, plus a host of other topical management articles written by professionals, consultants and academics.

Cybercrime in South Africa is reaching new heights in 2025, with attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated and frequent. According to industry estimates, cybercrime is projected to cost the South African economy over R2.2 billion annually.[1] This surge highlights the urgent need for stronger digital defences across all industry sectors.

South Africa needs urgently to reflect on a landmark legislative initiative that is unfolding in the United States of America. Designed to curtail the expansive authority of federal agencies which can issue economically significant regulations without congressional approval, this effort marks a pivotal attempt by American lawmakers to reclaim their constitutionally enshrined role as the nation’s primary lawmakers.

The way we hire is being rewritten - not by chance, but by code. As organisations grapple with increasing hiring demands, limited HR bandwidth and fierce competition for top talent, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged not just as a tool, but as a transformational force across the entire recruitment lifecycle.

Peak performance, real motivation, and true engagement aren’t separate goals - they are the interconnected foundation of sustainable leadership. Productivity shouldn’t be the end goal, but the outcome of a thriving work culture. Drawing on the insights of Stulberg, Fowler and Lencioni, leaders are offered a practical blueprint for building workplaces where people don’t just show up - they excel.

South Africa’s graduate unemployment rate has surged from 8.7% last year to 11.7% this year, which has prompted questions about the value of a university degree in a struggling economy. However, the question should not be about the value of further education, but rather the systemic - yet clearly identifiable and addressable - issues that continue to cause barriers to employment post-graduation.

Payment gateways play a critical role in transaction processing. The transaction messages are processed through them while they broker the approval of the transactions from the source (generally customer or merchant) to operators (generally issuer).

Thinking Seriously is a three-part series for anyone who suspects their brain might be quietly sabotaging them at work. Starting with thoughts - the architects of our decisions - then moving through emotions and behaviours, this series unpacks the invisible mechanics driving how we think, feel and act in the ambiguous chaos of modern business.

Read our exclusive cover story titled Digital payments - securing the gateways by Dean Friedman, Partner and Rupesh Vashist, Associate Director, KPMG Southern Africa, plus a host of other topical management articles written by professionals, consultants and academics.