It is my privilege to present the Chairperson’s Report for the year ending December 2025 — a year defined by momentum, innovation, renewed partnerships and a shared commitment to strengthening our profession.

From the outset of this term, we sought to deliver on SARIPA’s core pillars of education, discipline, advocacy and networking. As we reflect on the past twelve months, these foundations have not only held firm but have become the launchpad for significant progress across our organisation.

1. Strengthening Governance and Leadership

When I stepped into the role of Chairperson earlier this year, we immediately set about consolidating a strong leadership structure. We welcomed the appointment of Zeenath Kajee as Treasurer and the co-option of Marlo Chipunza to the Board — both bringing depth, expertise and renewed energy to our governance framework. Their contributions have already proven invaluable.

Our strategy session in April 2025 further refined the organisation’s value equation, guiding our priorities and enabling a coherent and measurable approach to member value.

2. A Year of Connection, Learning & Thought Leadership

Educational Programmes

Our formal education partnership with INSOL continued to grow, with strong enrolments in both the Insolvency and Business Rescue courses. These programmes remain central to SARIPA’s mission of elevating professional standards and ensuring globally aligned learning.

Our free monthly webinar series gained exceptional traction this year. Covering topics from the Henque Judgment and Crypto-related distress to Stakeholder dynamics in business rescue, these sessions have strengthened our CPD ecosystem and ensured members remain abreast of emerging issues.

Regional Engagement

Each region demonstrated remarkable commitment:

• KZN hosted a standout SARS workshop with excellent feedback.
• Northern Region delivered a sold-out regional conference featuring Dawie Roodt and welcomed the Master.
• Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Central Regions continued to build strong regional communities through seminars and networking events.

These engagements reinforce the importance of local perspectives in shaping national impact.

3. New Forums & Strategic Initiatives

2025 marked the rollout of several key platforms to support growth and dialogue within the profession:

SARIPA Women’s Forum (SWF)

Launched this year, the SWF provides a dedicated space for connection, mentorship and leadership development for women in restructuring and insolvency. The inaugural event in Port Elizabeth was an inspiring start.

Counsel Forum Mentorship Programme

Driven by Adv. Lizelle Acker, this initiative in partnership with Advocates for Transformation has already delivered meaningful mentorship for junior counsel.

Trade Union Engagement

Our Trade Union Committee’s work — including direct engagement with NUMSA — opened valuable dialogue about the practicalities of business rescue and the preservation of jobs. These conversations are essential in shaping a more collaborative restructuring landscape.

Policy and Regulatory Work

We maintained active engagement with the Master’s Office, participating in the Task Team meetings with the Acting Chief Master.

4. Major Events: A Year of Milestones

Inaugural IP Summit – February 2025

Our first-ever IP Summit was held at Irene Country Lodge and exceeded all expectations. The overwhelmingly positive feedback affirmed the value of this new addition to SARIPA’s calendar.

Fancourt National Conference – October 2025

Our flagship annual conference at Fancourt was a defining highlight of the year. Not only did we sell out well in advance, but the atmosphere, speaker line-up, technical content, and networking opportunities left a lasting impression on all who attended. The feedback has been nothing short of exceptional.

Members described Fancourt 2025 as:

• “The best SARIPA conference yet”
• “A world-class professional gathering”
• “A benchmark for future events in the restructuring sector”

The energy, professionalism and camaraderie displayed over those two days reflected the true strength of our community. This conference has set a new standard — one we are committed to sustaining and elevating in the years ahead.

5. Building for the Future

As highlighted in our mid-year and annual reporting, the Board recognises the accelerating pace of change within the profession — from legislative reform to economic uncertainty. Our mandate remains clear: to support, equip and advocate for our members.

Our goals for 2026 include:

• Expanding participation across regions
• Deepening engagement with regulators and policymakers
• Enhancing communication and member value
• Strengthening mentorship and transformation pathways
• Continuing to lead thought leadership in insolvency and business rescue
• Celebrating SARIPA’s 40th anniversary with a bespoke Gala Event.

These priorities reflect our commitment to ensuring that SARIPA remains the trusted voice of the profession.

6. Acknowledgements

A year of this magnitude is the product of collective dedication. I extend my sincere appreciation to:

• The SARIPA Board and EXCO for their wise counsel and unwavering support
• Our regional committees, who keep the heartbeat of SARIPA strong
• René Bekker, Angela Bailey and Wiida Barnard Hamman — for their exceptional work throughout the year
• All our members, whose continued engagement and commitment to excellence inspire our mission

Conclusion

2025 has been a pivotal year — one that showcased SARIPA’s resilience, innovation and unity. We have strengthened our foundation and widened our impact. Most importantly, we have reaffirmed the strength of our community.

Thank you for your trust, your participation and your belief in the future of our profession. I look forward to building on this momentum with you in 2026.

Warm regards,

Jo Mitchell-Marais
SARIPA Chairperson