A Night of Leadership, Legacy and Lessons in Johannesburg
The Big Reveal That Left the Governance Community Talking
In a year marked by shifting global standards and mounting expectations for ethical leadership, one event in Johannesburg quietly set the tone for how organisations will define trust in 2025 and beyond. What unfolded on this stage wasn’t just a celebration; it was a revelation of who is truly shaping the future of transparency.
The Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa (CGISA) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) have officially announced the winners of the 2025 Integrated Reporting Awards, celebrating excellence in transparency, accountability, and corporate leadership. The prestigious ceremony, held on 12 November 2025 in Johannesburg, marked the 69th year of recognising outstanding integrated reporting across South Africa and beyond.
This year’s overall winner, for an unprecedented 14th time, was Nedbank Group Ltd, a testament to its consistent leadership in integrated thinking, sustainability, and stakeholder-driven reporting. Judges applauded Nedbank for a report that demonstrated clarity, innovative presentation, and a deep commitment to creating long-term value.
Top Performers Across Sectors
The 2025 awards honoured excellence in nine competitive categories, reflecting the breadth of entities producing impactful integrated reports:
Overall Winner: Nedbank Group Ltd
Top 40: Exxaro Resources Ltd
Mid Cap: Redefine Properties Ltd
Small Cap: Attacq Ltd
Fledgling/AltX: Telkom SA SOC Ltd
State-Owned Company: Industrial Development Corporation SOC Ltd
Public Sector: Gautrain Management Agency
Unlisted Entity: Business Partners Limited
NGO/NPO/NPC: South African Institute of Chartered Accountants NPO
Regional Award: National Social Security Fund of Uganda
CGISA President Deolinda da Silva noted that the awards not only honour exceptional reporting but also celebrate the values at the heart of corporate governance: accountability, sustainability, and integrity. She highlighted the timing of the awards amid the introduction of King V™, which aims to deepen ethical leadership and integrated thinking across all sectors.
A Call to Strengthen Trust Through Governance
Keynote speaker and governance expert Ramani Naidoo delivered a powerful address centred on the Life Esidimeni tragedy, using the case to demonstrate how governance failures erode societal trust.
“Governance is about honouring trust… When that trust is broken, the cost is measured not in lawsuits, but in broken lives,” Naidoo said, reinforcing the importance of transparent, honest reporting.
CGISA CEO Stephen Sadie paid tribute to Professor Mervyn King, a global pioneer of integrated reporting, acknowledging his leadership in shaping the King Codes that have positioned South Africa as a world leader in corporate governance.
Driving Excellence Into 2026
Participation in the Integrated Reporting Awards is voluntary, and each report undergoes rigorous scrutiny by a panel of independent judges. CGISA, a long-standing member of the Integrated Reporting Committee of South Africa (IRC), continues to champion best-practice reporting and governance excellence.
As Sadie concluded:
“At CGISA, we don’t just teach corporate governance; we propel it forward. Step up, stand out, and claim your spot on the podium in 2026.”
This year’s winners set a new benchmark, demonstrating that integrated reporting remains a powerful tool for building trust, strengthening accountability, and driving sustainable value creation.