New Companies Act raises stakes on executive paySouth African companies are entering their first reporting cycle under the new remuneration provisions of the Companies Act, but compliance will not be enough. “The amendments, which came into force on 22 May 2026, fundamentally change the way companies need to think about remuneration governance,” says Hopkins. Companies now need to produce policies that shareholders are prepared to support.” Failed shareholder votes carry real consequencesThe amendments also increase accountability for remuneration committee members. “Companies need to present this information in a way that gives shareholders a meaningful understanding of their remuneration practices,” he says.