Achieving equitable workforce representation: The settlement agreement on employment equity and affirmative action between the Government and Solidarity

On 14 April 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa assented to the Employment Equity Amendment Act 4 of 2022 (EEA Amendment). The EEA Amendment introduces various changes, including the identification and establishment of equity numerical targets for different sectors.

What is the status of parental leave?

The parental leave provisions of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 were declared invalid because of inconsistency with the Constitution. The declaration of invalidity is suspended for two years to allow Parliament to remedy the defect. The Court has provided interim relief by amending the legislation to provide all parents 4 consecutive months' parental leave collectively. However, the Constitutional Court has to make the final decision on whether the order of invalidity is confirmed before it has any force. Watch our webinar discussion on the impact of this judgment and the way forward.

Keeping it clean: Using a clean team to unlock M&A transactions and manage competitively sensitive information

The evaluation of a potential merger or acquisition typically necessitates the sharing of confidential information, usually via a formal due diligence investigation. Naturally, the due diligence investigation is usually undertaken at the outset of the process to allow the potential bidder (or both parties, as applicable) to assess the suitability of the transaction and to inform negotiations.

The unpacking of a Strategic Integrated Project

Speaking at the third Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium in Cape Town on 19 March 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that investment in infrastructure is central to the achievement of South Africa’s development goals. President Ramaphosa highlighted some initiatives which seek to address this, including the amendment of the Division of Revenue Act 5 of 2023 to enable provincial governments to use their infrastructure grants and budget allocations to crowd-in private sector finance for large social infrastructure programmes, as well as amendments to the public-private partnership regulations. Of specific importance to South Africa’s development goals is the implementation of Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) which aims to minimise the red tape associated with projects that are of social or economic importance to SouthAfrica. 

Going back to basics: The importance of reducing the essential terms of a sale of property agreement to writing

The recent judgment of Cooper N O and Another v Curro Heights Properties (Pty) Ltd (1300/2021) ZASCA 66 (16 May 2023) once again highlights the importance of reducing the essential terms of a sale of property agreement to writing.

The significant impact of our Pro Bono & Human Rights practice in 2023