This podcast unpacks legal developments across South Africa and the African continent. Each week, Webber Wentzel lawyers and industry specialists explore the issues shaping the business and regulatory landscape, offering clear, practical guidance to help navigate complex challenges.
Post-greylisting: compliance built - But what comes next?
South Africa’s removal from the FATF grey list in October 2025 marked a significant turning point in the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regime.
But with the action plan largely complete, the focus is now shifting.
In this episode of The Legal Lens, Lerato Lamola and Kirsten Wolmarans explore what comes next and how the regulatory conversation is evolving from building compliance frameworks to testing how those frameworks operate in practice.
The discussion unpacks:
• The transition from greylisting to delisting and what it signals for the financial system
• The shift from technical compliance to demonstrable effectiveness
• The emerging gap between policy and real-world decision-making
• Why enforcement outcomes remain slower than expected
• Where even sophisticated organisations are falling short in practice
• The move towards defensible decision-making and institutional resilience
As South Africa enters a new FATF evaluation cycle, the key question is no longer whether frameworks exist, but whether they consistently influence behaviour and withstand scrutiny.
For businesses, compliance is no longer just about systems and controls — it is about how decisions are made, documented, and justified in real time.
28 May 2026
White-collar crimes and forensic investigations in key African jurisdictions
White collar crime in Africa is no longer a localised or purely compliance-driven issue. It is increasingly cross border, more complex, and more consequential for businesses operating across the continent.
In this episode of The Legal Lens, Lionel van Tonder, Garth Duncan and Brittany Leroni unpack how the landscape is evolving in practice — from the expansion of reporting obligations and enforcement trends to the realities of multi jurisdictional investigations, legal privilege, and whistleblower frameworks.
The discussion also explores a broader shift in approach. Compliance is no longer enough on its own. The focus is moving towards resilience — how organisations identify risk early, respond effectively, and navigate regulatory scrutiny with credibility.
This conversation coincides with the launch of our Guide to White Collar Crimes and Forensic Investigations in Key African Jurisdictions, developed with our relationship firms across the continent and grounded in real-world experience.
For businesses operating in Africa, the message is clear: white collar risk has become a strategic issue, and it needs to be managed accordingly.
20 May 2026
Virtual Asset Regulation in Africa: A comparative analysis of selected jurisdictions
Virtual asset regulation across Africa is entering a defining phase.
In this episode of The Legal Lens, Lerato Lamola and Anelisa Ndebele unpack how regulatory frameworks across Africa are evolving and what that means for businesses operating in the fintech and digital assets space.
Drawing on a comparative analysis of multiple jurisdictions, the discussion explores:
*The shift from informal caution to structured regulatory frameworks
Licensing regimes across jurisdictions such as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique
*The central role of AML/CFT obligations in shaping regulation
*Key areas where regulation is still developing — including legal tender status and stablecoins
*Emerging trends in cross-border regulation and exchange control
What the next phase of implementation will look like across the continent
As adoption continues to grow, African regulators are moving towards a more coordinated, risk-based and innovation-aware approach to oversight.
For businesses in the virtual assets space, the key message is clear: regulatory compliance is no longer something to prepare for in the future — it is already here.
13 May 2026
Key Trends in International Arbitration Across Africa
Arbitration across Africa is evolving rapidly and is increasingly becoming the preferred mechanism for resolving complex cross-border disputes.
In this episode of The Legal Lens, Chandni Gopal and Erin Warmington discuss key trends shaping international arbitration across the continent, drawing on insights from their recent publication.
This episode covers:
The growing momentum of arbitration across African jurisdictions
The role of courts in supporting arbitration proceedings
Emerging opportunities, including ESG-related disputes and infrastructure projects
As arbitration frameworks strengthen and cross-border investment continues to grow, Africa is positioning itself as a credible and increasingly attractive arbitration landscape.
15 Apr 2026
Pension fund contributions - Two-pot reckoning to a new enforcement era
In this episode of The Legal Lens, we unpack a major shift in the enforcement of pension and retirement fund contribution obligations in South Africa. Following the withdrawal of a long standing exemption under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) and the introduction of proposed amendments in the Draft Employment Laws Amendment Bill, employers are entering a new enforcement era with heightened regulatory scrutiny.
The discussion explores how the two pot retirement system exposed widespread non compliance, why labour inspectors can now actively enforce pension fund contributions, and what a dual enforcement regime involving both the Department of Employment and Labour and the FSCA means for employers. The episode also examines the risk of personal liability for directors and officers, the implications of unannounced inspections, and the practical steps organisations should take now to mitigate risk.
This conversation is essential viewing for employers, board members, HR leaders and finance teams navigating retirement fund compliance, BCEA enforcement and evolving regulatory risk.
8 Apr 2026
Business and Human Rights and ESG in the Retail and Consumer sectors
Retail and consumer businesses are among the most exposed sectors in the global economy today, sitting at the intersection of brand visibility, complex global supply chains, digital transformation and increasing regulatory pressure. In this episode of The Legal Lens, we explore how business and human rights in the retail and consumer sector have evolved far beyond a compliance exercise. In 2026, the focus is firmly on market access, operational resilience and board‑level accountability.
With Europe’s regulatory developments, including CS3D‑style legislation, reshaping global supply chains, this conversation looks at why these changes matter for businesses operating in or sourcing from Africa, even in the absence of equivalent local laws. Our experts unpack six key themes that retail and consumer businesses should be paying close attention to as global standards increasingly influence local operations.
24 Mar 2026
Hospitality, Leisure & Sports Trends in the Western Cape
In this episode, we explore the trends set to shape the Western Cape’s hospitality, leisure, and sports sectors in 2026 in this episode of The Legal Lens.
Host Bernadette Versfeld is joined by industry leaders from Cape Town Tourism, Wesgro, Accelerate Cape Town and Webber Wentzel to unpack how major events, destination strategy, infrastructure investment, regulatory shifts, and traveller behaviour will influence the region’s tourism landscape.
From demand drivers and visitor experience trends to cost pressures, sustainability expectations and emerging investment opportunities, this conversation offers practical insights for operators, investors, and anyone involved in the tourism value chain.
17 Mar 2026
Suspicious resignations and confidential information leaks: What employers need to know
The Legal Lens – Episode 1 - Suspicious resignations and confidential information leaks: What employers need to know
In this episode of The Legal Lens, Webber Wentzel experts Dhevarsha Ramjettan (Employment Law) and Aaqilah Nagdee (Forensic services) break down what employers must do when a sudden resignation is followed by a confidential information leak.
We explore what counts as confidential information, how to legally access employee devices, the urgent forensic steps needed to preserve evidence, and whether disciplinary action is still possible after resignation. The episode also covers the legal remedies available once an employee has left and the most common mistakes businesses make in high risk data breaches.
This is essential guidance for HR teams, business leaders, and in house counsel looking to protect their organisations from information leaks and insider threats.
10 Mar 2026
Webber Wentzel The Legal Lens Podcast - Trailer
Coming soon: The Legal Lens Podcast
A new way to stay on top of the legal developments shaping business, through clear, practical insights from our experts.
More details to follow soon.
Contact Webber Wentzel The Legal Lens Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Webber Wentzel The Legal Lens Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
