Corporate governance in South Africa: Evaluation of the King II Report (Draft)

Greater market globalisation, ever-increasing competition, greater global interdependences and more pronounced shareholder activism in the USA and elsewhere pose demands for improved corporate governance in today's mature and emerging markets. The aim of such efforts is to deliver, through enhanced governance in the boardroom, a higher shareholder return. This paper evaluates South Africa's efforts to adhere to international best practice on corporate governance through the King II Report (Draft). It is argued that South Africa's unique socio-political context requires careful navigation and balance in order to avoid the civil disorder experienced by its neighbours.