As South Africa’s private credit and mid-market investment ecosystem matures, investors are increasingly asking a fundamental question: “Does fund structure meaningfully influence performance, exit discipline, and long-term value?” The answer is yes, but not in a one-size-fits-all way. Both open-ended and closed-ended funds carry strengths and trade-offs, and the right choice depends squarely on an investor’s liquidity needs, return expectations, and risk appetite.

Following several high-profile governance breakdowns, most notably the collapse of Daybreak some months ago, and persistent state capture-related cases, company directors across sectors are finding themselves increasingly under the spotlight. Boardroom accountability has moved to the forefront, prompting a renewed focus on fiduciary duties, particularly the duty of care.

What if the people who built the company’s success also owned a stake in its future? Across South Africa, millions of employees work tirelessly to deliver value – yet all too often, they remain disconnected from the wealth they help generate. Employee Share Ownership Plans (ESOPs) challenge this imbalance, offering a powerful tool to align purpose with profit and to ensure that those who contribute the most are not left behind…

South Africa’s financial markets are entering a new era. The Johannesburg Interbank Average Rate (JIBAR), long the anchor of domestic funding and lending, will soon be replaced by the South African Rand Overnight Index Average (ZARONIA). This transition is reshaping how interest rates are priced, aiming for greater transparency, reliability, and alignment with global best practice…

South African companies are operating in a challenging capital environment. Bank lending
remains constrained, private sector credit growth is modest, and equity markets are hesitant.
With IPO activity limited and valuations under pressure, businesses – particularly in the midmarket – are seeking more strategic, flexible funding solutions. The traditional binary of debt or
equity is no longer enough. Companies now require capital structures that align with their
growth ambitions while managing cost, control, and risk…

On 4 April 2025, the South Africa Transmission Infrastructure Investment Forum brought
together key decision makers, including Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho
Ramokgopa, alongside industry leaders, financiers and developers. The forum laid the
groundwork for public-private partnerships (PPPs) in energy transmission, driven in part
by the Minister’s bold and pragmatic outlook…

According to the South African Reserve Bank’s March 2025 Quarterly Bulletin, real gross fixed capital formation declined by 3,7% in 2024 after a 3,9% increase in 2023. This downturn raises concerns about the current state of fixed investments in South Africa and its impact on economic growth…