Corporate Governance and Compliance

By the end, you can explain the board's role, King IV principles, key compliance laws and how to run a simple compliance register.

Job-ready skillAbout 60 hours3 stagesFree

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Governance is how a company is directed and held accountable; compliance is making sure it follows the law. South African companies follow the Companies Act, King IV and POPIA, among others.

Turn on JavaScript to track your progress. The lessons are:FoundationsUnderstand what governance is and why it matters.Task: Explain in one page the roles of shareholders, directors and managers, using a company you know as the example.Core skillsLearn the main rules: Companies Act, King IV, POPIA and anti-corruption.Task: Build a compliance register for a small business: each law, what it requires, who is responsible and the due date.Applied practiceApply it: policies, minutes and reporting.Task: Write a short POPIA privacy notice for a small business website and a template for board or committee minutes.

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What competent looks like

Explains the board, management and shareholders
Knows the King IV principles at a high level
Keeps a compliance register
Understands POPIA basics
Writes clear minutes and policies

The South African route

Company secretaries and governance professionals often qualify through the Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa (CGISA). Information Regulator guidance covers POPIA.

Free resources

POPIA guidance
Information Regulator
Governance qualifications
CGISA

These links go to free courses and sites run by other organisations. We chose them in October 2026 but do not run them, so check costs, dates and entry requirements on their site. Broken link? Tell us.

Jobs it can lead to

Compliance assistant
Company secretarial assistant
Risk and compliance intern
Governance administrator