Chairperson's Message
19 January 2024
Hello to all SARIPA members,
Well here we are in 2024!! Hopefully you are all well rested and ready for the year.
With elections happening in South Africa this year, coupled with continued global political and economic turmoil, 2024 could certainly be a very busy year for all of us at SARIPA.
It is expected that insolvency and business rescue practitioners will be kept busy as financial distress continues to have an impact on companies not being able to generate sustainable revenue in continued challenging trading conditions. It is predicted that respite from load shedding is on the cards, with Eskom telling South Africa that improved generating capacity and ample emergency reserves bodes well for reduced pressure on the national grid. We will have to wait and see.
For the members of SARIPA, we can look forward to continued activity in the first half of the year, with ongoing SARIPA webinars, regional conferences and networking events that are in the process of being planned and arranged. Details will follow in due course. SARIPA Young Bloods are also hard at work planning events for 2024.
We are again about to kick off with our two courses in Insolvency Law and Business Rescue Practice (in collaboration with INSOL International), namely-
- Programme in South African Insolvency Law and Practice 2024
- Programme in South African Business Rescue 2024
To register: https://www.insol.org/Education/SARIPA-Course
Last year, we had 33 students participating in the Programme in South African Insolvency Law and Practice and 34 students for the Programme in South African Business Rescue Practice. We really had great feedback on both courses and with a pass rate at 90% for both courses, those that participated benefited from attending what has become the "go to" courses in insolvency and rescue practice in South Africa.
In 2024, the Programme in South African Insolvency Law and Practice will again be on offer, together with the Programme in South African Business Rescue. We again expect a very high uptake for both courses, so do not miss out - please see above links for enrolment cut off dates. There is no doubt that the two courses offer a cutting-edge and highly practical insight into insolvency and business rescue practice in South Africa and will be a sought-after certification for all SARIPA members. Notably, SARIPA has sponsored three bursaries for the Insolvency course and three bursaries for the Business Rescue course. Details of how one is to qualify for these bursaries will shortly be made available by SARIPA.
Our second mentorship programme for practitioners kicked off again on 17 January 2024 with mentees partnering with their mentors. The objective of the mentorship programme is allow for the transfer of skills, experience and know how and where we aim to get our younger members to better understand the practical aspects (hands on) of insolvency, restructuring and rescue practice. This initiative remains an important and beneficial opportunity for junior members of SARIPA and where we are able to contribute to the development of the careers of younger members of SARIPA. The INSOL mentorship programme provides a forum for younger practitioners and creates a unique and exclusive learning opportunity for our mentees.
In 2024, we will continue to provide our members with continuous updates involving the Master's Office, CIPC, SARS and Trade Unions. Pertinent and relevant information will be available on our website and will continue to focus on the latest case law and precedent affecting insolvency and business rescue practice. We welcome SARIPA members’ contributions/articles and if anyone wants to write articles for SARIPA on relevant cases and/or practical issues, please submit such contributions to Rene Bekker at
Our webinar schedule for 2024 is being prepared and will also shortly be shared with all of our members. We again aim to offer cutting edge and highly relevant content for the benefit of all of our members that attend these webinars. So do keep an eye out for the webinar schedule.
The SARIPA Lenders Forum will continue to have discussions on issues affecting the South African market, levels of foreclosures and financial distress. There will again be an opportunity for practitioners to participate in the highly popular "meet the practitioner" series and where credentials of both insolvency and business rescue practitioners (in person) can be put before the South African banks.
INSOL International will have its annual international conference this year in San Diego, USA - 22- 24 May 2024. We are hoping that SARIPA members will attend the conference and where an intensive two days of learning and networking opportunities will no doubt be highly beneficial for all those attending. Details of this year's San Diego conference can be found at https://events.insol.org/website/11659/
Lastly, we look forward to hosting you again at the end of the year at our SARIPA Annual Conference - details will follow later in the year.
Also watch out for SARIPA's highly popular networking events, involving all of our members as well as our Young Blood (under 40 members).
I wish all of you a happy and prosperous 2024. I hope that you are all energised and are raring to get your teeth into some challenging and inspiring new mandates!! All the best to all of you and I look forward to seeing you at one of our events soon!!
Warm regards,
Dr Eric Levenstein
SARIPA Chairperson
