Tag: cms south africa

Chasing ghost assets: Can AI become insolvency practitioners' new investigative assistant?

Insolvencies in Africa now routinely cross borders, and tracing money means going through thousands of emails, years of bank statements, and a tangle of related-party deals. Bridget Letsholo and Nomcebo Ntuli of CMS South Africa explore how AI could help, what it does well, where it goes wrong, and why the practitioner still matters.

When every CV is impressive, brand decides: the new battle for Africa’s corporate mandates

African law firms are facing a growing challenge: when every top firm has strong credentials, what actually wins the mandate? Georgina Lahri of CMS South Africa argues technical expertise is now merely the price of entry; trust, sector understanding, and brand are key

Africa's energy transition doesn't need more guarantees - it needs bankable deals!

Africa still has more than 500 million people without electricity access, no shortage of capital chasing energy projects on the continent, yet the number of deals actually closed remains small. Sihle Bulose of CMS South Africa argues the bottleneck is bankability: whether each project's legal, commercial, and financial risk can withstand diligence and support long-tenor capital.

CMS SA recognises ‘immense contribution’ by elevating van den Berg to Head of Banking and Finance

CMS South Africa is a leading commercial law firm based in Johannesburg, part of future-facing global firm CMS, with more than 90 offices in 50-plus countries. Today it has announced the appointment of director Andre van den Berg to Co-Head of Banking and Finance, alongside Managing Partner Riza Moosa.

From 'islands of luxury' to infrastructure anchors: reimagining SA real estate law and development

The self-sufficient enclave model common in South African real estate is an economic fallacy, argues Kagiso Mahlangu, Head of Real Estate at CMS South Africa. Premium developments cannot thrive long-term if surrounded by systemic decay and community exclusion, so we should move to a next-generation framework where developers act as infrastructure anchors to uplift the community ecosystem

South Africa: Why AI is a boardroom liability under the new King V framework

With South African businesses deploying AI at scale for everything from credit scoring to dynamic pricing, boards are celebrating ‘innovation’ while sitting on a governance timebomb. Corporate expert Lebogang Molebale of CMS South Africa explores the nuances of AI oversight now being a direct fiduciary duty under King V

Rethinking the politically exposed person (PEP) and embracing true risk-based compliance

Politically exposed persons (PEPs) on a client roster can create extreme reactions: panic-based rejection to avoid regulatory heat, or mindlessly ticking compliance boxes without checking actual risk. Foster Tshiluvhu, the Head of Compliance at CMS South Africa argues rigid, rules-based compliance by legal and financial sectors is creating a dangerous culture of financial exclusion while failing to catch actual financial crime.

Why an outdated Precious Metals Act is failing South Africa’s economy

South Africa successfully clawed its way off the FATF grey list last October, but a regulatory blind spot is threatening to undo that hard work just as the next evaluation cycle begins. Yushanta Rungasammy of CMS South Africa discusses how the nation’s outdated Precious Metals Act is a R60bn loophole, and a FATF red flag

Insolvency laws South Africa can be proud of: putting principle into practice

In March, South Africa’s second-highest court delivered a landmark insolvency decision. Bridget Letsholo of CMS South Africa examines how Sheer v Wagner strengthens South Africa’s position as a sophisticated, investment-friendly jurisdiction, while inviting Parliament to refine legislation for the modern world

Safeguarding South African margins in the 2026 geopolitical storm

As conflict in the Middle East continues to impact the rand, South African importers are finding that being right about the market isn't enough. Andre van den Berg of CMS South Africa and Harry Scherzer of Future Forex dig into the nuances of troubling times, where deals turning onerous doesn’t equate to force majeure

A turning tide: Navigating the transition from JIBAR to ZARONIA

After serving as South Africa’s benchmark interest rate for more than a quarter century, JIBAR is being replaced. Riza Moosa and Mbali Nene of CMS South Africa discuss why ZARONIA is a fundamental upgrade to the nation’s financial integrity, and provide a five-pillar roadmap for firms to avoid an operational cliff-edge this month.

CMS South Africa promotes rising banking and finance star Karabo Kanapi to senior associate

CMS South Africa is a leading commercial law firm based in Johannesburg, part of future-facing global firm CMS, with more than 90 offices in 50-plus countries. It has promoted talented banking and finance lawyer Karabo Kanapi to Senior Associate.

South Africa: How the new King V Report on Corporate Governance will reshape corporate strategy in 2026

Now in effect, the new King V Report is more than an update to South Africa’s corporate governance code, it’s a fundamental rewrite of the corporate playbook. Sihle Bulose and Lebogang Molebale, Directors of Corporate and Commercial at CMS South Africa, dissect how King V will compel strategic transformation across the next 12 months

Investing in Africa's greener future

What does the future hold for renewable energy projects in Africa? In the latest episode of the Africa Legal podcast Craig Sisterson speaks to Muzi Kubeka and Pedro Couto about challenges, opportunities, and innovation.

CMS South Africa recognised for gender equality leadership

In a significant step forward for gender equality in the legal sector, CMS South Africa has been named a finalist across a number of competitive categories at the 12th annual Gender Mainstreaming Awards, a benchmark event for gender empowerment in Southern Africa.

CMS SA bolsters dispute resolution practice

Bridget Letsholo has joined the Johannesburg office of CMS, a leading global law firm, as a director and Head of the Business Restructuring & Insolvency practice.

CMS South Africa strengthens cross-border team with new addition

With an increasing number of cross-border projects on the go in Africa, CMS South Africa has announced the expansion of its Cross-Border Projects and Infrastructure team with the addition of Muzi Kubeka.