From Grey to Growth: The Role of Financial Leadership in Restoring Investor Trust
South Africa’s economy does not only need growth; it needs trust. Investors no longer respond to optimism alone. They look for proof of discipline, transparency, and ethical management. In this context, the financial leader has become a symbol of credibility. The actions and words of a CFO now influence how the market perceives the entire […]
Life After AGOA – Diversification as a CFO Imperative
The expiry of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) on 30 September 2025 has created a defining moment for South African businesses. For years, AGOA offered preferential access to U.S. markets, but with its conclusion and the uncertainty of new tariffs, reliance on a single trade relationship has become a liability. This is not […]
Governance as a Platform for Innovation: Why discomfort and discipline unlock long-term value
CFOs know that governance is rarely glamorous. It is the board packs, the compliance filings, the endless detail that few outside the finance function ever see. But it is also the scaffolding on which growth rests. Without it, even the most exciting strategy collapses under its own weight. With it, bold moves become possible. South […]
Policy U-Turn: What South Africa’s SMEs and CFOs Need to Know
South Africa’s business community has once again been reminded that policy certainty is fragile. Two major regulatory initiatives, both aimed at shaping the environment for small businesses, have taken very different turns. While labour relations reform has been welcomed, proposed credit regulations were abruptly pulled, leaving CFOs to deal with the conseque
If Your CFO Strategy Is All Tech and No Heart, You’re Already Losing:The CFO’s New Balancing Act
Your company has just rolled out a shiny new AI tool that promises to “revolutionise finance.” It crunches data, predicts forecasts, and practically winks at you while telling you to cut costs. But then a long-time customer calls with a real-life problem. Suddenly, all those algorithms cannot match the simple power of a human voice […]
Best of Breeds or Best of Mess? The CFO’s Guide to Smarter Technology Choices
When it comes to digital transformation, the temptation to buy into sweeping, one-size-fits-all solutions is strong. Vendors arrive armed with slick demos and promises of simplicity: “Just adopt our platform and all your headaches will vanish.” But as any seasoned CFO knows, the financial reality of technology seldom matches the marketing pitch. What truly
Diversification vs Retrenchment: Strategic Choices Under Tariff Pressure
Few roles carry the weight of immediate decision-making quite like that of the Chief Financial Officer. When global trade disruptions such as tariffs strike, the CFO’s position as operator is tested in ways that cut right to the heart of corporate survival. The question is not whether the business will feel the pressure, but how […]
Muted Growth, Rising Unemployment: What CFOs Must Take from Treasury’s Warning
When Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana addressed the Macro Fiscal Workshop this past week, his message was direct: South Africa is entering a difficult period marked by muted economic growth, stubbornly high unemployment, and limited fiscal space. These headwinds are not confined to government. They ripple into the private sector and directly shape the decisi
Crunching Numbers or Crystal Ball? Why Financial Modelling is the CFO’s Secret Weapon
Crunching Numbers or Crystal Ball? Why Financial Modelling is the CFO’s Secret Weapon Picture this: You’re at a braai, someone asks what you do, and you reply, “I build financial models.” Their eyes glaze over faster than the boerewors burns. To them, a model is something on a runway, not an Excel sheet with 27 […]
Dancing with Chaos: Why Smart CFOs Say Yes to Unstructured Work
Dancing with Chaos: Why Smart CFOs Say Yes to Unstructured Work For many years, the role of the Chief Financial Officer was defined by order, certainty, and structure. It was about budgets, forecasts, monthly closes, and audits. Everything had its place. Everything had a process. But something has shifted. In today’s world, the most impactful […]