Do Part-Time Domestic Workers Get Paid Leave?
In South Africa, many households employ part-time domestic workers or gardeners who may only work once or twice a week. Employers often wonder whether they need to provide paid leave in these cases. The short answer is yes — but only proportionally, based on the number of days worked. Annual Leave The Basic Conditions of […]
Mediation Before Litigation: Balancing Efficiency and Constitutional Rights
South Africa’s civil justice system faces significant challenges, including escalating litigation costs, prolonged delays, and an overwhelming backlog of cases, with some civil trial dates not projected until 2031. Against this background, the South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC) has been developing a Draft Mediation Bill since 2019 to integrate alternative dispute resolution (ADR), particularly […]
Time Is, Indeed, Money!
How to make time work for your money. It’s often said that time is money, and when it comes to your finances, that’s absolutely true. The principle of the time value of money is simple: money available today is worth more than the same amount in the future, because it has the potential to earn […]
Knowledge Is Power – If You Can Find It
The real threat to your business is old habits. In July 2025, a mid-sized South African business lost one of its most experienced employees. The impact was catastrophic. This was not because of his seniority, but because he was the only one who knew how everything worked. Systems, processes, and compliance routines were all inside […]
Township Property: An Untapped Market?
Much has been written about the residential property markets in South Africa’s iconic cities: Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. But what of the largest townships in or adjacent to each of these cities: Soweto, Umlazi, and Khayelitsha? While the glossy brochures and media headlines often focus on city skylines and prime real estate, there’s a […]
Property Ownership Transfer and the Abstract Theory
South African courts have adopted the abstract theory, which means that the validity of transferring ownership is not affected by whether the original transaction is valid. In the case of Legator McKenna Inc. v Shea [2009] 2 All SA 45 (SCA), McKenna, an attorney, was appointed as the curator of Mrs Shea’s estate because she […]
When Grief Meets Red Tape: Understanding Today’s Estate Challenges
Losing a loved one is already one of life’s most difficult experiences. Add to that the burden of South Africa’s complex estate administration process, and families often find themselves overwhelmed at the worst possible time. In 2026, the challenges facing estate administrators have reached unprecedented levels, but understanding these obstacles and seeking professional help can […]
VAT and the Export of Second-Hand Goods
When second-hand goods such as vehicles, machinery, or artworks are bought and exported from South Africa, the VAT implications depend on several factors, in particular, whether notional input tax has been claimed, and who is responsible for the export. Understanding these distinctions is critical for vendors and purchasers to ensure full compliance with the Value-Added […]
Networking online
How to make professional connections remotely—and why it matters ON PAPER, networking is a relatively simple task. Mingle with like-minded professionals while sipping wine and you greatly increase your chances of landing a coveted role, or building your dream career. Pre-COVID, gearing up for a networking event, you would probably have walked into a venue, […]